Open mouth, Insert foot

It was characteristic of the disciple Peter to speak impulsively instead of first thinking. Matthew 17 is a good example of this. Those are collected tribute money for the temple approached him asking if he and Jesus had paid what they expected. Without thinking and without consulting Jesus, Peter immediately said yes. Because of Jesus’ divine knowledge, he was aware of what Peter did.

We should stop in our discussion to recognize that this tribute money was not obligatory. It was a type of love offering for the upkeep of the temple. Also, because Jesus was considered a rabbi, he probably should also be considered exempt from this tax. When Peter simply said yes, he obliged Jesus and himself to be under the constraint of unbelievers. In modern terms, this is a classic example of the saying “open mouth, insert foot.”

By Jesus asking questions of Peter as soon they found themselves in the house, Peter was forced to confess his blunder. Jesus could have let Peter flounder and try to find ways to get the tribute money. This is a wonderful example of the compassion that Jesus has for us. Even if we mess up, Jesus is there to help us. However, that help had to come as a result of his own personal efforts as assigned by Jesus.

At the instructions of Jesus, Peter went fishing  to discover money in his catch. It was that money that Peter was able to bail himself out from the uncomfortable situation that he brought on himself.

Notice the steps that Jesus took with Peter:

1. He allowed Peter to operate as a free and independent agent even though it got him in trouble with the men of the Temple and with Jesus.
2. He waited until such a time in which they could be alone. Our alone time with God can be the best time in which the Holy Spirit reveals to us what we must confess and what we must do.
3. He helped Peter, my asking questions, to come to a place in which he would confess his foolishness. The kindness of Jesus was demonstrated that he did not attack Peter but gave him the opportunity to admit his wrong.
4. He still showed Peter how not to be an offense to the weak or the unspiritual persons. Jesus was as much concerned about the temple staff as he was about Peter himself.
5. He gave Peter the opportunity to solve the problem. We cannot expect God to do something for us when we can do it for ourselves even though in this case a miracle was involved. Peter could not just sit back and say that the money had to suddenly appear.
6. He was with Peter through the whole ordeal by telling him to pay the tribute money for both of them. Jesus could have told Peter that he was alone in the situation. Instead, Jesus aligned himself with his big mouth disciple. This is a minor example of how Jesus aligned himself with our sin and took it upon himself on the cross.