Encrypted

"Go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a a piece of money..." Matt 17: 27

Matthew 17:24–27 tells one of the most unusual miracle accounts in Scripture. On the surface, it’s a story about paying taxes. But layered within are revelations of God's mode of operation.

When asked if Jesus would pay the temple tax, He made it clear that, as the Son of God, He was under no obligation. After all, kings don’t tax their own sons. Yet, rather than stir offense, Jesus chose to pay. Jesus didn’t always avoid offense. He often confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees head-on, openly calling them a brood of vipers and hypocrites. But His choice to avoid offense in this situation is striking—He who holds ultimate authority humbled Himself to avoid becoming a stumbling block.

But what happens next is even more peculiar. Jesus did something entirely unexpected: He told Peter to go to the sea, cast a hook, catch the first fish, open its mouth—and there, Peter would find the coin needed to cover the tax for them both. I have noticed that Jesus rarely repeats His miracles in the same way. He heals blind men with mud, with a word, or with a touch. And here, He hides money in the mouth of a fish. It’s almost whimsical, but actually very intentional.

It goes without saying that Jesus is creative. He is, after all, the Word through whom the universe was made. Galaxies, oceans, and intricate ecosystems all testify to His artistry. Yet, this miracle in Matthew 17 is particularly striking in its creativity and mystery. Jesus could have multiplied coins as He did five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand people, or simply caused the money to appear in Peter’s hand. Instead, He instructed Peter to labor: to cast a hook into the sea, catch the first fish, and open its mouth to find the coin.

Why such an unusual method?

It suggests that much about God is encrypted. The Bible itself is encrypted in this sense—its truth is available to all, yet not all grasp it. Jesus often spoke in parables, and His miracles frequently contained layers of significance beyond what was seen on the surface. A simple definition of encryption is to convert information into a code to prevent unauthorized access. In the same way, while Scripture is widely accessible, its deeper meanings often go unnoticed through hurried reading. This is why Psalm 1 declares, ‘Blessed is the man who meditates on the law of the Lord day and night.’ The Word always holds more than meets the eye. Cracking the code requires focus, time and attention. The deep things of God are revealed to those who remain in close proximity to Jesus—just as Peter did.

Peter’s role in this miracle is also our role as we walk with Jesus. He did not originate the miracle; he simply obeyed the instruction he received. His proximity to Jesus placed him in position to hear the command, and his faith compelled him to act upon it. The result was that he became a participant in God’s marvelous work.

Proximity to Jesus is vital. To be close to Him is to hear His direction; to hear Him is to obey; and to obey is to partake in His divine works.

Sometimes what you’re searching for lies “beyond the sea,” hidden in unexpected and distant places. On our own, obtaining it is impossible—but nothing is impossible with God. Breakthrough, favor, and open doors often remain concealed until Jesus gives us access. Filmmakers, if you are struggling with lack of support, limited finances, or challenges in securing distribution, do not waste your strength in worry or in forcing open doors by your own might. Instead, draw near to Jesus. Wait for His instruction. And when you hear it, obey without hesitation. His word will decrypt the code and unlock what has been hidden from you.