A diving bell is a rigid chamber used to transport divers from the surface to depth and back in open water, usually for the purpose of performing underwater work. It is one of the earliest types of equipment for underwater work and exploration and was first described by Aristotle in the 4th century BC. In 1535, Guglielmo de Lorena created and used what is considered to be the first modern diving bell. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_bell
The diving bell is a reasonably good metaphor for the life of a Christian. So, with this metaphor in mind, here are some obvious questions the “fish” (i.e. people) might ask and passages of Scripture with which a Christian might reply:
- Fish, “Why are you so peculiar?” – Christian, “(Jesus) gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14 KJV)
- Fish, “Why are you in that?” – Christian, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” (Acts 17:28)
- Fish, “Why won’t you come out and join us?” – Christian, “(Jesus prayed to the Father), ‘I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.’” John 17:14 (NIV)
- Fish, “How can you breathe?” – Christian, “And he (Jesus) is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:25 NIV)
- Fish, “It looks like you are being pulled up. Where are you going?” – Christian, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV)
I hope is diving bell metaphor helps us keep our focus as we walk in the hostile and rocky environment of this world. The “fish” will be confused by us but that’s okay. This world is not our home.
Image by joakant on Pixabay