Afterwards Tom sent us all a scripture...Romans 5:12: so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. That scripture came to life tonight.
Tonight I watched my grandson be taught how to fish by two men of the church which just warmed my heart...Dave and Dave both became Dave #1 tonight in my book. They put meal worms (creepy little things with legs) on his hook, taught him how to hold his pole, they took his fish off when he caught one, cheered for him and untangled his line many times all lovingly. He was content to sit on the bank and just fish. I sat back and watched. This is the same child who freaks when you leave him some times and when I decided to walk back to the shelter and get a drink he said...go on grammy I think these guys will watch me. And I knew they would. That is fellowship.
Because he fished he can understand the story of fishing for men, he can understand the fishermen that were disciples...he can understand caring for others. He can understand someone who isn't related making a difference. Sometimes we never know the impact we can have on someone.
The bible is filled with images of fish!
A fish is the oldest Christian symbol. The Greek word for fish, ichthus, is an acrostic for the Greek words that translate to “Jesus Christ Son of God Savior.” The symbol of a fish was used by persecuted Christians as a code name for Christ in order to avoid arrest and execution. When a picture of a fish appeared outside a Roman home it meant that the Lord’s Supper would be observed that night.
The importance of fish in the Bible is well substantiated. In the Book of Genesis, we find that fish are the first creatures to appear (1:2). They are the only species not taken into the ark, suggesting that they were self-supporting! In Leviticus we read of laws regarding which fish are kosher and which are not.
Descriptions of methods of fishing are given in the Book of Habakkuk: a hook, net and seine are used (1:15). In 1 Kings, fish are associated with the wisdom of Solomon (5:13). When Jerusalem was rebuilt by Nehemiah after the Babylonian captivity, a Fish Gate was built into its wall (Neh 3:3). Fishermen are mentioned by Jeremiah, when speaking of bringing back the Israelites from Babylon: “Look! I will send many fishermen, says the Lord, to catch them” (16:16). And a large fish prevents Jonah from going on his cruise of the Mediterranean and lands him back where he should have gone in the first place.
Jesus preached in terms of fishing, almost echoing Jeremiah when he says to Peter and the other fishermen: “From now on you will be catching men” (Lk 5:11). Two miraculous catches of fish are related in Luke 5:1-11 and John 21:1-8). nd men are fed with five loaves and two fish.
All of this Zack will be able to understand because he fished. I think I will go buy a pole.
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