The Crucifix Fish

Psalms 8:1 NCSB, “Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth.”

The Gafftop Catfish lives in the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. It is easily identifiable by the spike on their dorsal fin that sticks up like the sail of a ship.

Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Last week my granddaughter, Emma, and I went on her class field trip to Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The kids played on the beach. One teacher found the skeletal head of the Gafftop Catfish pictured above.

Gafftop Catfish

The Gafftop Catfish is known as the Crucifix Fish because the skeletal head resembles a crucifixion.There are ‘stones’ inside the skeleton that rattle when the skeleton is shaken. The Roman Soldiers threw dice gambling for Christ’s garments. The rattle resembles the sound of the dice. When turned over, the skeleton resembles a Roman shield.

The Legend of the Crucifix Fish

Of all the fish in the sea
our Lord chose the lowly sailcat
to remind us of His misery.
His body on the cross is outlined,
the hilt of the sword
which was plunged into His side
is clearly defined.

Look at the back of the fishes bone
where the Roman shield is shown.
When you shake the cross
you will hear the dices being tossed
for our Lord’s blood stained dress,
those who hear them
—will be blessed.

Conrad S. Lantz

Psalms 8:3-4, “When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place, what is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him?”

God reveals Himself Through Nature

The teacher commented that “God reveals Himself through nature every day.” He also explained the different symbols while holding the skeleton. I couldn’t agree more. When I see the sunrise or sunset, the beautiful birds and animals, the flowers and trees, I am so thankful for the many blessings of God. The more I learn about God, the more I realize how magnificent He is. Do not be so busy that you do not notice the ways God reveals Himself to you.

Psalms 9:1-2, “I will thank Yahweh with all my heart; and I will declare all Your wonderful works. I will rejoice and boast about You; and I will sing about Your name, Most High.”

Paula Wallace

In conclusion, if you are interested in seeing pictures of both sides of the Crucifix Fish, you can Google it. I was very much in awe of the wonders of God that day. He never fails to show Himself.

 

For additional reading:

When God Does Something Special

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2019/03/05/when-god-does-something-special/