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24. Doth not your master pay tribute? Matthew 17:24. This question was put to Peter, accusing Jesus of not paying the Temple tax, a half shekel, worth two days' wages, required of every Jewish male over 20. All paid the same, rich or poor, young or old. Jesus asks Peter, "Who do rulers collect taxes from, their own children, or strangers?" Peter says, "Strangers." Jesus says, "Then the children are free." The Temple being His Father's house made Jesus exempt from taxes. But so as not to offend and to be obedient to the law, Jesus tells Peter to cast a line into the sea and take a coin out of the fish's mouth he caught, which was a shekel, and pay for Himself and for Peter. Christ displayed humility, obedience, and divine power over nature. He did not ask Peter to do something that he was unfamiliar with. The lesson: We are children of the King. Be humble, be obedient, and trust Christ to provide in ways that we will be familiar with, but that will show the divine authority and care of Christ our Lord. Amen.