If you have grown up in a family that fishes or have a friend that’s a fisherman, then you have heard a fish tale. Every fisherman has a fish tale or two. Usually, they center on a dynamic event where either a big fish is caught, or one got away. There is even a technique of taking a picture while holding a fish that will make the fish you are holding look bigger than its actual size (yes, I have done this). In many ways, fish tales are a part of our culture, but not as much as we find in the lives of those mentioned in the Bible.
Throughout Gods Word, we discover fish tales. In fact, Jesus compared the marvelous ministry His disciples would partner with Him in using fishing imagery. Jesus exclaimed, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19). As one explores the true tales that mention fish, found in Scripture, we discover that many of them empower us to partner with Christ, becoming a more effective spiritual fisherman.
So strong is this identification of believers with fish that the early church identified a fish as a symbol of our faith. This symbol is frequently found carved on the walls of the catacombs beneath the city of Rome by these early Christians. The Greek word for “fish” is ichthus, and each letter represented a word (I = Iesous – Jesus; ch = Christos – Christ; th = theou – of God; u = huios – son; s = soter – savior). In a time when public expression of faith could cost you your life the fish became sort of a code word to express one’s faith in Christ: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and my Savior.”
Others, besides Christians, commonly used the fish as a symbol in the Roman Empire so it could be displayed without causing unwanted attention. Often this symbol was used by Christ-followers to mark meeting places and tombs. It has been reported that when a Christian met a stranger on the road, the Christian sometimes drew an arc in the dirt. If the stranger drew the other arc, making the ichthus symbol, then both knew they were in the presence of a fellow believer. Today’s practice of placing the ichthus symbol on business cards and on the trunk of a vehicle recalls this early practice.
Besides the meaning attributed to the term ichthus, the fish has plenty of other biblical overtones. Jesus fed 5,000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves and as mentioned He called His disciples to be “fishers of men.” Some have even suggested that water baptism, usually practiced by immersion, created a parallel between fish and believers. The second-century theologian Tertullian noted: “we, little fishes, after the image of our Ichthus, Jesus Christ, are born in water.”
Whether you personally identify with the ichthus symbol or not, every believer can celebrate the affirmation that someone is a believer in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior. Whether or not you feel it’s a good idea to place the symbol on business cards or on the trunk of a vehicle, there is no denying that fish tales are found throughout God’s Word and that it is good to identify ourselves as followers of Christ. I would caution that placing the ichthus on a business card or on a vehicle does make a mark that ought to be supported by reflecting Christ.
I am so thankful we are able to publicly express our belief in Christ who makes His followers “fishers or men.” I am blessed to serve our Lord who can multiply fish and loaves. I celebrate knowing Him and making Him known in partnership with each of you and together in partnership with Him.