Money doesn’t grow on trees, but it can be found in fishes’ mouths

If anyone doesn’t think God has a sense of humor, just show them this passage.

Various leaders and officials were always trying to trip Jesus up. When some tax-collectors checked to see if Jesus and his disciples had been paying a certain tax, Jesus told his disciples that he was of course exempt (being God and all), but that to avoid offense, they would pay anyway. But then Jesus tells Simon Peter where to get the money:

“[N]ot to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” (Matthew 17.27)

Whaaa? Jesus could have just snapped his fingers and made the money appear. But I guess he likes to keep things interesting.