Try the latest Words of Life as Spotify Podcasts.

Tip: To see latest Words of Life, use Refine Search to list by Year. If using Mobile device, Refine Search may be located at end of page.

As Jesus travelled with His disciples throughout Galilee, teaching the people and fulfilling the law, they came again to the city of Capernaum. Capernaum was the home of Peter and his brother Andrew, who were fishermen before they left all to follow Jesus. It was there that the miracle recorded above took place. In all his previous experience, it is doubtful Peter had ever cast a line and pulled up a fish with a coin in its mouth! Scholars suppose that the tribute money at the time was two days wages per person meaning that the coin was worth four days wages.

Leaving aside the obvious lesson that the Lord is able to provide what is necessary for our daily provision, there is a profound teaching here which reflects the Lord’s life on this earth. Even though, as he explained, it was not necessary for Him to pay the tribute money, He did so to not cause any offence. When we read through the recorded events of Jesus life on earth, we can see that He always tried to avoid causing undue offence.

Offence is a coin that has two sides. We are all called to follow the Lord’s example and to avoid giving offence. Mark 9:42, “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” Sometimes we offend unintentionally and, if that is drawn to our attention, we are also called to make it right, where possible.

The reverse side of the coin is the taking of offence. In our modern world it seems to be that many are looking for offence as we see how quickly everyone reacts to public comment. Jesus saw how easily offence would be given and taken in the last days and its result. Matthew 24:10, “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” It should not be so for those of the household of faith and we must strengthen our faith to be able to endure offence.

It is an opportunity for His light to shine through us when we ask for His strength to endure offence and request it not be laid to the offender’s charge. It is best for all to refrain from giving or taking offence as it is then very difficult to fix. Proverbs 18:19 tells us, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.”

Our constant prayer should be that the Holy Spirit guide us to be swift to hear the concerns of others, slow to speak and judge or cause offence and slow to wrath when we are offended. (James 1:19)