Lesson Four
Miracles Of Supply 
(Continued)

Jesus Provides Tribute Money For Peter:
•	Matthew 17:24-27.
•	Circumstances:
•	Peter had been approached by one collecting tribute or tax money for the expenses of the Temple. 
•	This tribute money was a half shekel. 
•	Very likely Peter was being accused of not meeting his religious obligations. 
•	It is possible that he also was accused of belonging to some political party, which refused to pay tribute.
•	The accusation was also laid against Jesus. 
•	"Doth not your master pay tribute?"
•	Peter did not want this accusation brought against them, so he answered, "Yes," without consulting with Jesus.
•	The Sanhedrin had placed this tax upon the Jews, and it actually placed each Jew in the position of a stranger or Gentile. 
•	Jesus was opposed to the tax and He allowed His opposition to be known.
•	1. Need:
•	The need was simply for Peter to pay the tribute money so that they would not be a stumbling block.
•	2. How Was The Miracle Performed?
•	Jesus used a fish to provide the tribute money. 
•	Peter might have been tempted here to go back to his old occupation and catch sufficient fish to sell and pay the tribute. 
•	Very likely this was the reason that Jesus had Peter catch one fish, and that the need would be provided though a miracle.
•	3. Results And The Lesson Taught:
•	Through this miracle Jesus taught Peter two lessons. 
•	First, although Jesus did not agree with the raising of the tribute money, yet He paid it rather than be a stumbling block. 
•	Secondly, Peter did not have to turn back to his old occupation to have this need met, through obedience and faith Jesus would provide.
•	The miracle reveals some of the attributes of Deity: a) Omniscience - knowing all things and b) Foreknowledge Of God.

Feeding the Four Thousand:
•	Matthew 15:32-39
•	1. CIRCUMSTANCES:
•	This miracle is very similar in meaning and significance to that of feeding the five thousand. 
•	However, this was altogether a different miracle. 
•	The differences between this and the miracle of feeding the five thousand may be noted. 
•	The feeding of the five thousand took place in the north near Bethsaida and the crowd was made up of mainly Jews. 
•	This second miracle took place in the south in the territory of Decapolis and the crowd was mainly Gentiles.
•	2. Need:
•	A large crowd had sought out Jesus in the wilderness bringing many of their sick and suffering. 
•	Jesus pours out His love in healing on them and they were astonished as they beheld the miracles. 
•	They refused to leave until many of them had been there three days.
•	Jesus had compassion upon them and refused to send them away until they ate and were nourished.
•	3. How Was The Miracle Performed?
•	They brought seven loaves and a few fishes to Jesus. 
•	He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to his disciples. 
•	The disciples now went through to crowd and the food kept multiplying. 
•	After everyone had eaten there were seven baskets of fragments left.
•	4. Results And The Lesson Taught:
•	This miracle taught the same truths as the miracle of the five thousand, showing that Jesus is the Bread of Life. 
•	However, there are these additional truths: a) This miracle showed that Jesus would do the same for Gentiles as He would for Jews. 
•	Undoubtedly the disciples somewhat questioned this at the beginning for they certainly had not forgotten the first miracle; b) This miracle proves that Jesus can and will do the same thing over and over. 
•	If the need is there Jesus will meet that need no matter how often it may occur.

Second Drought of Fishes:
•	John 21 :3-1 9.
•	1. Circumstances:
•	This miracle takes place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee in the early morning. 
•	The disciples had been fishing all night but yet had caught nothing. 
•	This scene takes place following the death and resurrection of our Lord. 
•	It was a moment of great discouragement and depression. 
•	It seemed to them that their three years of following Jesus had all been in vain. 
•	Their sacrifice and dedication had been useless.
•	Peter decided that he was going to return to fishing. 
•	He "I said, go a fishing." 
•	The other disciples immediately gave their assent, "We also go with thee."
•	Thus they signified that their public ministry had come to an end. 
•	It was all a failure and blunder, and they were turning back to their secular occupation of fishing.
•	Now they had fished all night, and this also was a failure.
•	2. Need:
•	The need was twofold: spiritual and physical. 
•	They were weary and tired and hungry. 
•	They also needed encouragement and to see that this was not the end but rather the beginning.
•	3. How Was The Miracle Performed?
•	Before Jesus performed the miracle, He started a fire on the shore and prepared a breakfast for His disciples.
•	He now asks them, "Have ye any meat?"
•	When they replied in the negative, He instructed them to cast the net on the right side of the ship. 
•	Immediately they caught a multitude of fish (one hundred and fifty three large fish) and the net did not break which was another miracle. 
•	The disciples had to obey Him and the net had to be on the right side of the boat.
•	4. Results And The Lesson Taught:
•	A. Without Jesus everything is in vain and quite hopeless;
•	B. Everything is in vain if the net is on the wrong side of the boat;
•	C. Obedience was necessary upon the part of the disciples;
•	D. Jesus knew that hungry, discouraged men must be fed;
•	E. Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples with a miracle similar to a previous one.

LESSON FOUR
SELF HELP TEST

A. State clearly the lessons taught in the following miracles:
1.	Feeding the four thousand -
2.	Coin in the mouth of a fish -
B. What all was meant by Peter's statement, "I go fishing."
C. Write a paragraph describing the miracle of the second drought of fishes.

D. What was the attitude of Jesus towards paying tribute money?