Charcoal Fire

Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm. John 18:18

When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” John 21:9-10

There are only two places where a charcoal fire is mentioned in Scripture. Think about when these charcoal fires occur: Once in a courtyard outside of Jesus’ trial, where Peter denies Jesus three times. And then once on a beach where the risen Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him.

This detail linking the two scenes is no accident. We are meant to draw a clear connection: We may sin (like Peter did by the first fire), but we are still forgiven (as Peter was by the second fire). How is that possible? Because of what happened between those two fires, which is the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Think of these two fires the next time you light a charcoal fire in your fire pit or start up your grill to cook dinner or smell a neighbor’s charcoal fire burning. We are blessed by Jesus to be warmed by his love and nourished by his Word, no matter how cold or harsh we have been to him in the past. Jesus always gives us a second chance (as he did with Peter).