Jesus Fish

Do you have a Jesus fish on your car?

Should you?

A couple of days ago, Dorcas and I were driving back home from an appointment. We were stopped at a red light just a few blocks from where we live. There is always a physically-challenged young Peruvian man at that intersection. When the light is red, he limps over to the waiting cars, rag in hand, hoping for the opportunity to clean your windshield in return for a tip. This is a common site at almost every intersection in Lima. It's kind of like the folks who want to clean your windshield in NYC.

We know the young man. Juan Carlos is his name. He hobbled over to us, smiled and waved, and swept his rag across our windshield. We greeted Juan Carlos and gave him a tip. Next to us was another car, a small Toyota sedan, with two men in the front and one woman in the back. They were all well-dressed. I also noticed that they had a big, red Jesus fish hanging from the rear-view mirror, complete with a Bible verse in Spanish.

Juan Carlos hobbled over to their car. He waved his rag in the air, trying to get their attention and approval. They kept staring straight ahead, and ignored him the entire time. They didn't even acknowledge Juan Carlos for 1/1,000 of a second! As soon as the light changed from red to green, the folks in their Toyota roared off, leaving Juan Carlos to suck on their exhaust fumes.

But they had their Jesus fish!

Great testimony, folks!

Maybe those people thought that the big, red Jesus fish was going to give them some sort of divine protection on the streets of Lima (which is frequently needed!), or at least better gas mileage. I don't know. But I do know that the big, red Jesus fish stood for absolutely nothing when they ignored Juan Carlos and covered him with exhaust fumes. Maybe Matthew 25:40 (about helping out the least of the brothers) had been torn out of their Bibles.

If you're going to advertise the fact that you're a Christ follower, then act like one.

Do you have a Jesus fish on your car?

Should you?