"Go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee" (Matthew 17:27).

Note the humility of the Lord. He, the King of kings, submitted to paying a tax. The Creator of the entire Universe owns it all but stooped so as not to offend. In addition, He paid Peter's tax and taught honesty.

Jesus also was and is the greatest fisherman of all time. In our text, Jesus was speaking to a good fisherman. On another occasion, also speaking to Peter, the Lord directed him to "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught" (Luke 5:4). The lesser fisherman protested: "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net" (v.5).

Results? The catch was so huge that nets began to break. Another boat, called in for assistance, became full and began to sink, too. Peter, recognizing divine intervention, responded, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (v.8). It is good for us, too, to recognize our unworthiness in the presence of the Holy God.

The Lord also directs nonhumans in fishing! Have you ever seen a skimmer bird flying just above the surface of the waters with lower mandible actually gliding through it? It's seeking to touch a small fish. As soon as it does, its bill snaps shut; head tilts back; and the small fish is swallowed-all while still flying. Psalm 104:24 says that "in wisdom" the Lord made all creatures. They function skillfully because they are so designed. Psalm 104:28 affirms of Jesus: "thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good." Creatures of sea, land, and air "wait all upon thee [Jesus]; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season" (v.27). PGH