In
my devotional this morning, the author pointed out about two fires that Peter
experienced. As they were
preparing to sentence Jesus for his death, Peter was seated at a fire to warm
himself. Luke 22 says that as he
was seated in the firelight, a servant girl recognized him as one with
Jesus. This was his first recorded
denial of knowing the Lord Jesus.
I am sure that in his thoughts Peter could not help the shame and guilt
he felt since just hours before at the dinner table, he told his beloved Savior
that he would never leave his side.
Earlier in that same chapter of Luke (22:33), Peter says, “Lord, I am
ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus replies that Peter will
deny him, not once, but three times.
I can relate to Peter. I am
sure he really did believe that he would never forsake the one he loved so
dearly. Yet when the pressure was on – seated at that fire with all of those
watching the man who knew no sin being condemned to death – Peter started to
fulfill that prophecy of being who he did not want to be.
Then
after…after the pain, the sorrow, when the unbelievable had happened and their
Beloved was brutally beaten and crucified, Peter went back to what he
knew. Fishing! And as they spent the entire night on
the water and caught nothing, they head toward shore, and there on the beach is
another fire. This time, it is a fire of communion and fellowship. Jesus is
making their breakfast over the
hot coals, and I am sure in Peter’s mind he had to recall that other fire, only
a few days before where he did the one thing he believed he would never do –
walk away from this One he loved so dearly. Yet Jesus takes Peter from right where they left off – at a
fire where he denies knowing Jesus, to this fire of forgiveness and a future. This is our Savior. He takes us from
where we are, and leads us into that hopeful place of forgiveness and growth.
I
wonder if Peter pondered the significance of these two fires. I am sure he
understood that without the gift that Jesus brought him, he would be right back
at the courtyard saying, “I never knew the man.” Yet, in spite of falling
short, Jesus takes this man of shame and makes him bold and courageous and the
giver of life to all of the gentile nations.
