12/12/07 - Fishing, Children, Lost Sheep and A Lost Brother

This morning in my connection time with God I read Matthew 17:24 - 18:20. This is a collection of a few of the teachings and experiences the disciples have with Jesus. This passage starts out with a fishing miracle where Peter fishes with a pole and a hook (only time in New Testament) and pulls a single fish out opens it mouth and there is a silver coin that will pay both Peter and Jesus’ temple tax. Then we are taken to a conversation that the disciples are having Jesus about who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and He tells them those who become like little children. He continues the conversation with a parable about lost sheep and God’s desire than none shall perish. And this section of scripture finishes out with a command to go to a brother that sins against you and the correct course of action that you take to lovingly correct them and bring them back to God.

Today Matthew 17:26-27, Jesus teaches us that we [Christians] are to pay our taxes so that we do not offend or bring judgment on the church or Christians.

And in Mathew 18:3, Jesus is talking about how unless you become like a child you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Mark Moore says, “Kids don’t look at clothes and skin tone to decide who they are going to play with. Their not judgmental but often good judges of character. The only approval they seek is from their parents. If we were to act only for the approval and recognition of our Heavenly Father, how much different our homes and ministries would be!” Children rely on their parents for everything and in the same way I have to completely rely on God to provide for me and my family, to give me strength to complete the tasks He calls me to and I have to be praying and in my Bible to get His ways for dealing with what the world throws and me.