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Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, more commonly known as
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, ran afoul of King Nebuchadnezzar and
his call for them to worship a golden statue. They knew about God's
prohibition on idolatry but the king's threat to worship or die was
real as well. These godly men were resolved to defy the king's
mandate, even if it cost them their lives. The New Testament says
that Jesus became a ransom for humanity when He died on the cross
for our sins. This ransom concept with the temple tax was birthed
under the Mosaic Law and was a precursor of things to come. As the
son of God, Jesus was exempt from paying this tribute, but He
relinquished the privilege and instructed Peter how to make payment
for them both. Unbelievably, it involved catching a fish and using
the money found in its mouth. Obviously, Jesus could have
supernaturally materialized the money but the coin in the fish's
mouth was the reward of Peter's obedience and was just enough to pay
the tax. Jesus proved that no situation is too great for Him and
Peter learned that God will reward the effort we put toward our walk
with Him. |
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