“And you? Are you somewhere between the two fires? Have your fumbles and stumbles left you questioning your place in God’s plan? If so, let this story (Jesus reinstates Peter – John 21:15-19) remind you that Christ is not finished with you either. . . . Jesus went on a search and rescue mission for Peter. He will do the same for you.”- Max Lucado
“Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.”- John 21:6-7 (NLT)
Max Lucado concludes Chapter 11 of Never Alone as he notes that when Peter recognized Jesus standing on the shore, he dove like a missile into the water. But as Peter walked toward Jesus, the first thing he saw was – a fire of coals (v. 9).
Above all, the last time the gospels mentioned a fire of coals, Peter stood next to it. In addition, Peter denied the very name of Christ, cussing like a sailor. Thus, Max believes the fire of coals on the beach represented Jesus invitation to Peter to talk. Because when Peter denied Jesus, he failed publicly and painfully. Consequently, Jesus restored him publicly and personally.
Most significantly, Pastor Lucado explains, we need to receive the pure grace of God:
“No one makes it through life failure-free. No one . . . . I haven’t, and you won’t. There is within each of us the capacity to do the very thing we resolve to avoid. At some point the stallions within break down the corral and we — for a moment, a day, or a decade — run wild. If this has happened to you, remember the seaside breakfast. When this happens to you, remember the seaside breakfast. Jesus still gives what he gave peter: complete and total restoration.”
Finally, Max notes, less than two months after standing before that charcoal fire on the beach, Peter preached the inaugural Pentecost sermon!
Today’s question: At present, do you find yourself somewhere between the two fires? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The Miracle Worker Himself – Jesus”
