"But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, who art thou? Knowing that it was the
Lord"
(John 21: 4, 9, 12.)
Fire can be fascinating. At this time of year fires will be set ablaze and in the main, enjoyed across the land. They will bring pleasure to many and pain to some.
All this activity comes about from a foiled terrorist plot by Guy Fawkes to blow up the House of Lords some four hundred years ago.
I would for a moment, remember, another fire which was set ablaze by one who foiled the plans and plots of man to destroy him, by cruel crucifixion on a cross outside Jerusalem. Days past, now the hard rock of a cold sepulchre, gave way to soft sand on the shores of Galilee. The plans of man can never foil the purpose of the Lord.
After the mighty and certain triumph of the promised resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ He chose occasionally to withhold the power of recognition from His followers and disciples. They knew Jesus was alive from the dead. However these were times of His appearing and His disappearing. They never knew when they would see Him next!
Certainly what they saw on the sand by the water in the early morning hours was to fill them with glad surprise.
All night fishing; no fish, cold, tired and weary. The failed fisherman had experienced a bad night but the One on the shore would give them a good morning. When the disciple fisherman returned the second time having taken advice on their casting technique they saw a charcoal fire which Jesus had unquestionably lit that early morning on the shore. It was a fire, not of coal but of charcoal used in cooking and also used in drawing especially figure drawing. Well, Jesus used it for both purposes! He used it for cooking breakfast for all and in a sense He was able to draw a picture in their hearts and minds which stayed with all their lives and depicted so many truths, lessons about Christian behaviour for each generation of sincere, obedient believers. When did you last see the charcoal fire of the Lord?
Bad nights can become good mornings.
They started the night with a restless uncertainty.
By the charcoal fire they found their Risen Saviour.
During the night they were wet and cold.
By the charcoal fire they were dry and warm.
During the night they were hungry.
By the charcoal fire they were given hot food.
Our Risen Saviour can meet the need of spirit, soul, mind and body on every level of human experience. The charcoal fire is burning for you its message is simple it is also sublime. Come with me right now let us go together to the beach!
Page created 4 January 2007