🐟 Fish 🐠

Large fish, 153..

John 21:11

Nary a day goes by on Japanese TV without someone eating or catching fish. And this time of year, or a week or three back, all the fish flags fly.

 As 'fishers of men', I think you have to admit Jesus taught his disciples well. The church has come a long way from 12 men in Galilee. Christian growth in Japan though is more mixed. Initially most reports suggest when Christians first arrived here in the 1500s there was an enthusiastic reception. Then politics got involved. And even today I would argue the Japanese establishment loves Shinto and pretty much despises Christianity. Being a Christian in this country usually doesn't help you get on. In fact you could say it is still somewhat counter cultural. Yet the church here, which we celebrate each Pentecost, continues to grow slowly. Too slowly, if you ask me, but there you are, I'm impatient & God knows best.