Fish (noun): an aquatic cold-blooded animal; (verb) to attempt to catch fish; to seek something by a roundabout means (Fishing for a compliment); to engage in a search by feeling (fish for keys in your pocket)
I have a few passionate fishermen in my family. Get them talking about it, and a bright twinkle takes over in their eyes. What is the allure of fishing that captivates so many? The dream of catching that monster fish, the record-breaker, the one that would provide bragging rights for the rest of your life.
But I also have a friend who is afraid of fish.
I don’t fear fish, but I’m not a diehard fisherwoman either. Mostly, I enjoy being on or near the water, and find pleasure in watching people I love, doing something they so love. I carry fond memories of fishing with my Grandpa as a little girl and playing the “fishing game” at carnivals (throwing a fishing pole over a curtain and then pulling it back with some sort of “prize” now dangling from the end). One of my favorite songs is “Fishing in the Dark” by the Nitty Gritty Dirt band, and a familiar book from my childhood is “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” by Dr. Seuss.
But what really fascinates me about fish? How often fish – and fishing – are referred to in the Bible!
In the Old Testament, we read about how God used a fish to teach Jonah a lesson:
Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17
Several of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen by trade. When inviting them to come follow him, Jesus used language they would relate to:
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19
In another fish story, Jesus demonstrated his supernatural powers, where after not catching any fish all day, Jesus tells the fishermen to throw their net over the other side of the boat, and they then have a haul too heavy to lift into the boat!
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John 21:6
During Jesus’ ministry, on several occasions, situations would arise where crowds of people had gathered to hear Jesus, and the food supply was limited. Jesus was known to feed five thousand people using just a few loaves of bread and two fish.
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:19-21
When Jesus arose from the grave and appeared to his disciples, He ate a piece of broiled fish in their presence to help prove he was flesh, not just a spirit or an illusion.
And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. Luke 24:41-43
These “fish stories” within scripture provide great life lessons, just to call out a few:
- We are more successful when we follow Jesus’ directions
- Miracles happen
- Our resources, gifts, skills may be small, but if we put them in His hands, they multiply
In our culture today, when someone is telling a “fish story”, an assumed dose of dishonesty exists in the story, or at least bit of exaggeration or embellishment of the details. Hopefully we’re not applying that same assumption when we read the fish stories from the Bible!
Did Uncle Vern really catch a twenty-pound walleye last summer? No
Did Jesus really feed five thousand with only two fish? Yes
Both types of fish stories have their place in our conversations.
My family’s fish stories are part of our heritage, tradition, and memories. They bring a lot of laughter to our gatherings. Their sole purpose is simple pleasure and happy reminiscing of times passed. Perhaps a secondary purpose is to provide opportunity to improve our story-telling skills.
Jesus’ fish stories, however, bring wisdom into our lives. They reveal the nature, power, and character of Christ.
I am thankful for both types of fish stories!