More than a Miracle

“… Jesus was the first to speak. ‘What do you think, Simon?’ he asked, ‘From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes – from their own sons or from others?’ ‘From others,’ Peter answered. ‘Then the sons are exempt.’ Jesus said to him. ‘But so that we may not offend them, go and throw out our line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.’” (Matthew 17: 24-27)

Jesus’ miracles always have more than one holy purpose. They all obviously demonstrate Jesus’ absolute authority over the physical – defying every known and generally accepted law of nature. Turning water into wine, withering the fig tree, and walking on water are all undeniable examples of this. Many are further the result of Jesus’ love and compassion for those in need of healing. Several include these two dynamics along with confirmation, during a confrontation with religious officials, of Jesus’ absolute authority to supersede perceived rigid Mosaic Laws.

This miracle, however, was apparently for Peter alone. It of course confirms Jesus’ was indeed the Son of God having authority on the Earth. But somewhat hidden in this story is a significant spiritual gem easily overlooked in a casual reading that is perhaps as profound, if not more so, than the miracle itself. Notice that in the verses above Jesus does not use the word “son” (me), but rather “sons” (you and me, Peter). Jesus is clearly affirming Peter as a son of God as well.

John’s Gospel states, “…to all who receive Him (Christ), to those who believe in his name (Jesus), he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of a natural descent, nor of human decision of a husband’s will but born of God.” (John 1:12-14) According to these verses, Peter and the other disciples were the first in a long procession of adopted spiritual children of God that continues to this day and beyond until Jesus returns.

Not only are we adopted children of God, but we have “already crossed over from death to life” (John 5;24) Yes, physical death is ahead, but the potential for spiritual death is behind us, and we are active inhabitants of The Kingdom of God operating here now – having inherited all the authority that Jesus had as he walked the earth. We struggle to fully embrace these realities today. Only complete faith in Jesus’ promises and the presence of God (The Father and Son) within us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can mature us as fruit bearing children of God.

Peter suffered unpleasant growing pains along his faith journey, including his denial of Jesus and his own death by martyrdom. We too will spend our entire lives learning how to become children of God that always do what pleases our Father.

But in this moment, embrace the fact that God has adopted you – a source of endless praise, worship and thanksgiving.