Jesus Christ Lizard

Basiliscus is a genus of large corytophanid lizards, commonly known as basilisks, which are endemic to southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America Commonly known as the Jesus Christ Lizard, or simply the Jesus Lizard due to their ability to run across water for significant distances before sinking. (wikipedia)

 In the rainforest of Costa Rica, our guide cut the motor to the boat and drifted closer to the tree branch where the dark, long-tailed lizard struck a picture perfect pose for us.  Later, our guide cruised quietly through the muddy waters of a tighter tributary looking for a second Jesus Christ lizard, the green one.  His keen eyes spotted one dramatically perched on a limb extending out into the river, totally comfortable in this pass-out, jungle heat and humidity. We drifted.  We waited. We swatted mosquitoes.  We wanted to see why this lizard had been labeled the Jesus Christ lizard.  While we waited for the exhibition, our guide explained that this lizard could walk on water, and for decades the indigenous peoples related this characteristic to what Jesus had done as recorded in Matthew 14.   To the tribes in these jungles, they had heard the story of Jesus first, then named the lizard who, by the way, Jesus had created in the beginning, could do the same as Jesus.    The lizard never showed us his skill, but we learned that he stands up on his hind legs and his web feet carry him at break neck speed across the top of the water for at least the short distance necessary to out run his enemy.

The lizard is not the amazing consideration here. This situation is much like the earrings.  Recall the story about  missionaries who finally made contact with a tribe deep in the jungles of Africa and discovered the tribal people were wearing wooden earrings in the shape of airplanes.  They had never seen an outsider, but yet something bigger and greater above them had influenced them.  They saw, borrowed and applied.

What is amazing about the lizard is when he acquired his name.   He was so named only after this peoples' group had heard about Jesus Christ.  They couldn't possibly have christened him before  then.  Simply put, those who heard, borrowed and applied.   Now, any time they see the lizard, they say the name of the One who walks on water. Missionaries brought the story into their lives and Someone bigger and greater influenced their environment.  Even greater, there are small churches located in little towns up and down the tributaries.  Like you, repeatedly, we have seen the power of influence after hearing His story.  Our churches still stand throughout  the world today proclaiming the story of the One who walks on water.

Keep looking up!    And, thank you for following our blog.

J:m and L:nda