Short Thought continued.....

Dilemma solving with Jesus

 

‘“Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”  “Yes, he does,” Peter replied.’

Peter is asked this question by the collectors of the Temple tax.

Peter then goes to Jesus who tells him to:

‘go down to the lake and throw in a line.  Open the mouth of the first fish you catch,

and you will find a large silver coin.  Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”’

(Matthew 17:24-27 NLT)

 

Peter being a fisherman knows how to throw a line into the lake.

Jesus is asking Peter to use his skill and experience to help solve a dilemma;

but it is Jesus who brings the extraordinary provision: a fish with a coin in its mouth.
 

Jesus could have solved this dilemma without involving Peter.

Yet by including him, Peter’s faith has a chance to grow a little more.

 Peter has the opportunity to work with Jesus and to faithfully do as Jesus asks.

Peter then witnesses and experiences the surprising way

in which Jesus brings extraordinary provision which solves the dilemma.
 

When faced with dilemmas we often try to solve them in our own way.

But in coming up with our own solution we may miss witnessing and experiencing

the surprising way in which Jesus brings extraordinary provision.

We may be able to solve our dilemma but not in the way in which Jesus can:

we may be able to ‘catch a fish’, but not a ‘fish with a coin in its mouth’.

 

When faced with a dilemma will we go to Jesus and let Him tell us what to do?

He may surprise us in the way He uses our skills and experience.

He may surprise us in how He chooses to solve the dilemma;

He may surprise us in bringing extraordinary provision.

 

By going to Jesus and working with Him, our faith will have a chance to grow a little more.

We’ll witness and experience the surprising and extraordinary ways in which Jesus does things.

We’ll be in awe and wonder of Him; we’ll give Him thanks, praise and glory.

We’ll share with others what we’ve witness and experienced and their faith may grow as well.

 

Thought:  What dilemma do I need to go to Jesus with?

 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I don’t want to solve this dilemma in my way.  May I work with You

and faithfully do whatever You tell me to.  May I witness and experience You solving

this dilemma in a surprising way by bringing a ‘fish with a coin in its mouth’.  Amen.

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