Find Meaning
By Tony A Grayson | Submitted On September 07, 2021
Most people go to places or do things that are a mixture of necessity (work) and opportunity (meet friends). During these experiences, and especially through conversation, both meaning and mystery may be found. Yet, most folks misunderstand meaning and entirely miss mystery in what they do and in what has been done for them. Just last week, I discerned meaning and glimpsed mystery.
I have needed the help of a physical therapist for many weeks. She and I have conversed at every session. We have begun to share information about ourselves that does not routinely get shared among strangers. I told her about the joy my wife and I have with our granddaughter. The therapist lights up about this. I asked about her family, and she proudly showed me pictures of her two dogs. "They," she said, "are my husband's and my family."
I did not pry, but several sessions later, the therapist told me that her mother had passed from ovarian cancer at a young age. She said no more than that. To me, this was a mystery. I web searched and learned there is a 10% risk of hereditary passage of that type of cancer. There are tests that can be taken, and the tests may suggest a much higher risk. I thought that I found meaning, that my therapist would love to have a family, but she either was afraid or she had taken steps to stop pregnancy. I prayed for her and her husband to have God's grace.
Jewish places of worship today are mostly called synagogues, but during Jesus' three-year ministry, they were called temples. Even the smallest temple was led by a priest who had some support staff. Money was necessary for them to eat. Commonly, it was expected that those who used the temple would offer some payment (a tithe) for being in the building. Additionally, the priest's staff went out of the temple to attempt to actively collect a "Temple Tax,." The Temple Tax was neither a tithe or a law, but rather a local custom. Disciple Matthew wrote of an experience of his brother Disciple Simon Peter (Peter), who was asked if Jesus had paid the Temple Tax.
Disciple Matthew heard Peter tell Jesus of this. Web Search Matthew 17: 24-27. Look for meaning and for a mystery. Jesus taught his disciples during his ministry. He listened to Peter, then he asked Peter questions, allowing Peter to reason and comment. Did the Temple Tax support God's business or did it support the priest and his staff personally? You may have to read the passage a few times to find meaning. The mystery is found in how Jesus decided what to do about the tax.
Form your opinion about the meaning, the mystery. Was a miracle performed? A miracle is an event that cannot be explained by scientific evaluation, nor is it natural.
My opinion:
Jesus taught Peter to open his eyes to the meaning of what men do. And, he helped Peter to understand that those who sin are still loved by God. Rather than trust God to provide for him, the priest used his office to get more for himself. Yet, upsetting the priest by refusing to pay the tax would both be counter to God's purpose for Jesus and it would be counter to God's (and Jesus') practice of teaching lessons that would bring people closer to God.
Was the appearance of a 4 drachma coin in the mouth of a fish a miracle? No. Fish are attracted to shiny objects. That is why many fish lures today feature shiny metal. Jesus told Peter that the first fish that he caught would have the coin. Was that a miracle? No. By this time, Jesus knew that he was God's Son. Through prayer, Jesus had conversations with God, and since God sees all, God may have told him. Or, as Jesus proved himself worthy to the task that God had for him, God transferred power (raising the dead) to him. It is possible that Jesus had vision on what would happen when Peter went fishing. This is a mystery.
What about meaning? Why a fish at all? Why a 4 drachma coin? Web search "Fish" in the Christian Bible to come to an understanding of fish as a symbol of God providing for his people. Seven of Jesus' hand-picked disciples were fishermen. Two fish were blessed by Jesus, along with five loaves of bread, and they fed 5,000 men and even more women and children. The 4 drachma coin had meaning. Jesus meant, "I will pay for what I do not owe, and I will also pay for you (Peter)." Not long after this teaching, Jesus paid with his own life for all of the sins of mankind. Peter was allowed to glimpse what was to come, and Matthew was allowed to observe and hear so that multi-millions of people would read about it in the Christian Bible (God's word that has stood the test of time).
Resource Box: In the name of Jesus Christ, pray to Father God. Ask him for his grace. Web search what you want to know about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and other subjects in the Christian Bible at the online Bible Gateway, https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=The+bible+gateway Through his grace, you will find hope.
Please share my article with others.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tony_A_Grayson/1798235
Related Posts :
January 17, 2022
Tags :
EZINE
,
FOR WOMEN
Subscribe by Email
Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email
No Comments