Matthew 17:22

 Matthew 17:22 says, And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:  While Jesus and the disciples were staying in Galilee, Jesus told them that He would be betrayed by the hand of man.  We are betrayed when those who we claim to be close to us turn against us.  Verse twenty-three adds,  And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.  Jesus told the disciples that He would be killed and would rise again on the third day.  They were saddened by this statement.  We today as Christians should be saddened by what happened to Jesus, but we should rejoice in the fact that He rose again on the third day.  Verse twenty-four says, And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?  Jesus and the disciples traveled to Capernaum, where Peter was approached and asked if Jesus didn't pay tribute.  The ones asking did not go to Jesus, but to Peter, who did not even keep their purse, or money.  If someone has questions about how God works, the best thing is to go to God Himself, though we as His disciples should be able to answer some questions.  Verse twenty-five states, He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?  Peter did not go to Jesus for the answer but said yes for Him, then when Peter came to Jesus, He asked Peter what he was thinking.  Jesus asked Peter if He thought that the  kings of the earth take tribute of their own citizens or of strangers.  Verse twenty-six says, Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.  Peter replied of strangers, and Jesus then stated that the children were free.  Since Jesus is the King of all the earth, there is never a reason for Him to pay tribute to anyone in the earth.  Verse twenty-seven declares, Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.  Jesus said in order to not offend those asking tribute, that Peter was to go to the sea, cast his net, take up the first fish and open its mouth, and there he would find a piece of money to give them for tribute.  Jesus could have just produced the coin, but He included Peter in producing it.  God today could just give us everything that we need, but He usually includes us in providing for our needs.  This requires faith in action.