After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (Matthew 17:24-27 NIV)
When I refer to "four-drachma coins," I am talking about miracles. Are we seeing miracles happen in our lives? Miracles are signs from Heaven. Jesus performed miracles, and they were his credentials from The Father. If we are doing the things that Jesus did by following the Holy Spirit, we should be seeing miracles, too. It tells us we are 'on the right track.'
Those who do not believe or who do not have the right heart and attitude will not see these things.
“A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” ... (Matthew 12:39; also 16:4 NIV)
Those who do not respond to miracles by repenting will be held accountable.
"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” ... (Matthew 11:21; also Luke 10:13 NIV)
And, Jesus was not honored in his hometown.
Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. ...
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. (Matthew 13:54-58 NIV)
As I have learned to do the things Jesus did, I have found most people do not see those things and do not understand me. Some people even become hostile and take offense, but I have come to terms that this is a spiritual truth and I cannot do anything about it. If Jesus had these problems, so will I.
My hope and prayer is that those I love here in my own town and my own home will eventually understand, and that God will send others to witness to them. They are not going to listen to me.
This is why I have included on my blog the name and location of the town where I live. I am confident people in other parts of the world are more likely to listen to me, and I have seen evidence of this.
I suspect Wisdom has orchestrated this aspect of the spiritual battle for my overall benefit and protection. It allows me to try things and learn without attracting a lot of overt push-back from the Darkness. It allows me to make mistakes while I learn to be patient with people.
This reminds me, once again, of the 'volleyball metaphor.' My college friend and I worked hard on our own to develop our neophyte volleyball skills, until we were ready to go play with the Volleyball Club.
I expect one day I will go someplace else to practice what my Master has been teaching me, but right now I am called to be in my home town. I must honor my mother and help her in her sunset years, and her situation has dictated where I must live. There are also many other 'signs' that show me I am right where I am supposed to be.
All glory to God.