“…go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” Matthew 17:27
There are things which amaze me when I catch a trout.
Perhaps I’m easily amazed. But in modern times, when many people seem to have to push the envelope on just about everything to find excitement, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
One thing which amazes me when I catch a trout is that I was able to catch one in the first place!
Another is the remarkable coloration of the fish. I am very, very grateful that after being blessed with catching a good number of these critters over the years, I am still fascinated by their color and spotting.
This particular trout was interesting in another way. I found him in what I call thin, or very shallow, fast-moving water. That’s usually not the best place for a trout to hang out, especially with eagles flying overhead watching his every move. But he apparently had the coloration, and the stealth, to do quite well there. Note in the photo how closely the spotting on his back mimics the rocks beneath him. There are scientists who say this all happened apart from any intelligent design. I don’t agree.
I get some strange looks from people when they learn I release the fish I catch back into the river.
“Then why do you go fishing?” they ask.
I find that a bit difficult to explain at times. How do you put value on the color of a trout or measure the touch of a wild thing in your hands? Or the sight of an eagle cruising past at eye-level, and hearing the whoosh of the wind through his wings?
I actually got to experience that very thing recently. Along with seeing the brilliant orange and yellow and red autumn color peaking alongside the riverbank, and smelling the fallen leaves. Along with a bazillion other things.
“If I let the fish go, then he’ll be bigger the next time I come back.” I reason.
More strange looks.
The miracle spoken of in the Scripture above is one I’ve not heard too many people mention, but one I find worth pondering. Imagine all the fish in a body of water as large as the Sea of Galilee. There had to be many thousands of fish at that time. And one of those fish is carrying around some money in his mouth. And that particular fish just happens to be the first to take Peter’s hook when he casts it in. Then that fish produces just the right amount of money to pay their taxes.
I find that remarkable.
I wonder if Peter released that fish.
If I ever catch a fish with enough money in his mouth to pay my taxes, it’ll have to be an awfully big fish.
Or maybe a very rare coin!
Hmm.
I’ve got a truly remarkable God.
Hope you have a great day.