The Phil Files

My grandparents grew up on the coast of Texas. Before Daddy Gordon (my grandfather on my mom’s side) died when I was not quite six, he had already taken me saltwater fishing many many times. I grew up eating fish and especially shrimp. Somewhere along the way, however, I stuck a fish bone through the soft, inner part of my cheek, and kind of soured on eating fish for a long time. Kids’ are that way: they get something in their head and they won’t let it go.

I share this, because one of my favorite passages of the resurrection story of Jesus has to do with fish. In fact, two of my favorite stories about Jesus’ resurrection have to do with fish. The more famous one has to do with Peter and Jesus’ loving, but forceful, confrontation of Peter about denying him three times on the night of Jesus’ crucifixion (see John 21). The other, is much more obscure. I’m not sure why it is not more remembered, but for most people, it’s one of the things in the resurrection story that easily slips their mind. It may say something about my quirky brain that I remember it so vividly.

I can still remember years ago when some passionate followers of Jesus ended up on our church doorstep. They were dressed in robes — actually, these were old white sheets, but that only made them look more authentic — and walked the highways and streets, depending upon people’s generosity for food. Only thing is, they were vegetarians, but I didn’t know that at first. They were thrilled to get all the green beans that we had in ample supply in the church pantry. Peanut butter and canned potatoes were great, too. I offered them a couple of cans of tuna, because it was clear they had not found a lot of generous people in the last few days. They replied, “We don’t eat meat, like Jesus, we are strict vegetarians.”

Before thinking things through, I quickly referenced my quirky memory of Jesus resurrection and pointed out that Jesus had eaten fish in one of His resurrection appearances in the Gospel of Luke. They thought I was referring to the other one and quickly pointed out that the fish were symbolic. “No,” I suggested, there was nothing symbolic about these fish, they were proof that Jesus was real and not a ghost or an imaginary figure. I read the passage to them:

//Inspiration: Luke 24:40-43
When he [Jesus] had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything her to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.”

//Incarnation:
My new-found friends were stunned. What had stuck in my quirky brain had totally escaped their recognition. It was clear this seriously dampened their enthusiasm and left them without a response and in a hurry to leave. Sensing their disequilibrium, I suggested that I could at least pray for them and give them a ride down the road a little closer to their next intended destination. We prayed, and I drove them to another part of town, knowing they were still puzzled and trying to process this new-found discovery.
Of course the issue is not that Jesus ate meat. The issue is that Luke tells the resurrection stories of Jesus with such simple and un-garnished truth that it feels like the world we know. Luke is repeatedly honest about how hard it was for the people to believe at first. So Jesus does the thing that would show the reality clearly: the Lord ate some fish. Ghosts don’t eat fish. Visions don’t eat real fish. Ghosts don’t have much to do with fish at all. But Jesus ate the fish right there in front of them.
For me, this simple, clear, true-to-life way of sharing the story is perfect for me. It feels right. It rings true. It sounds like the world where I live. And it seems consistent with Jesus: the Lord doesn’t do some astounding miracle to prove himself, he does the most simple of things, He eats some fish. Moving from the feeling that “it’s too good to be true” to the conviction that the “Lord has risen indeed” hinged on a few bites of fish! But that fish still testifies to me today.

//Invitation:
Father, I thank you that you made Your glory clear and Jesus’ resurrection sure with a few simple bites of fish. Thank You! I needed the reminder that Jesus was a real person who did real, everyday, practical kinds of things. And in doing those things, Jesus helps me … and you … and others believe.