A Charcoal Fire & the Smell of Redemption
Why make someone relive his or her sin, why not just ignore it? I’ve just got to have some steak!” I surprised myself when I said this out loud while sweeping my back porch. But my stomach was growling, and I couldn’t think of anything else but a charcoal-grilled steak to fix that growing ache in my belly. So I went inside and told my wife, “I’ve got to have some steak!” After a pause, I continued, “I don’t care if we go to Outback, Beehive, or even if I grill it myself, but I’ve got to have some steak.” Donna laughed and said, “And you know why you’re wanting steak?” “Not really,” I replied. “You’re smelling our neighbors grilling outside, and now you want what they’re cooking!” BINGO! She was right. I opened the back door, and our yard was filled with the aroma and smoke of someone nearby grilling steak. That aroma had awakened something deep inside me that triggered my “I’ve got to have some steak!” response. Two significant events in Jesus’ preparation of the apostles occurred around the smell of a charcoal fire. The term “charcoal fire” (in Greek, anthrakia) occurs in the New Testament in two places, both in the gospel of John. The first involves Peter’s three denials of the Lord (John 18:15-27; esp. John 18:18 ESV). The second involves Jesus’ restoration of Peter to ministry after a miraculous catch of fish (John 21:1-22; esp. John 21:9 ESV). This little detail of personal memory is rooted in the sensory experience of the distinct aroma of a charcoal fire. It links these two events both in terms of a visceral response for both John and Peter as well as functions as a key connection between the two events in John’s gospel. In cornbread English, John is telling us that the smell of a charcoal fire evoked the memory of Peter’s three denials until it was supplanted by the memory of Peter’s restoration by the Lord in front of a charcoal fire. The bottom line: At a charcoal fire, Peter had betrayed the Lord! At a charcoal fire, the Lord restored Peter! At the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus does the important work of calling Peter back to ministry and then restoring Peter to his leadership position among the apostles (John 21:1-22). Jesus does this in a situation that echoes Peter’s original call to follow the Lord (Luke 5:1-11). Interestingly and importantly, Jesus does not let Peter off the hook. Jesus didn’t look the other way and simply ignore Peter’s sinful failures. Peter hadn’t just denied the Lord that night, but he did so after claiming superiority to his fellow apostles. Peter had shown a desire to be first before he failed miserably at being faithful. Both sins would have sabotaged his leadership in the early church and among the apostles. When Jesus had originally warned Peter of his impending denials, it was in the context of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. At first, Peter did not want the Lord to wash his feet, even though the Lord washed the feet of the other disciples. Then after the Lord’s rebuke, in typical Peter fashion, Peter wanted to be washed all over (John 13:1-11). Jesus then warned his apostles that one would betray him, and all the rest would abandon him. The Lord specifically warned Peter that he would deny him three times that very night. Still not recognizing his own vulnerability, Peter claimed that no matter what others did, he would remain faithful even if it meant dying for the Lord (John 13:21-38). Peter failed despite his brash promises. Peter failed despite claiming to love the Lord more than the others and being more faithful to the Lord than his fellow disciples. Peter’s denial of the Lord was the complete failure of Peter to live up to his word and his brash promises. Peter’s denial of the Lord was the complete failure of Peter to be loyal to the Lord he claimed to love. After the Lord’s resurrection, Peter still had influence as a natural leader. “I’m going out to fish”, Peter said to some of his apostle buddies. Despite Peter’s failures and arrogance, the other apostles followed Peter into the boat and went fishing (John 21:1-3). Peter may still have been a brash natural leader, but Jesus didn’t want a natural leader. The Lord wanted a restored spiritual leader. Jesus wanted Peter to be a leader with integrity and who knew his own vulnerabilities. Failure wasn’t the issue. Every human leader will fail at some point. The issue for Jesus was that Peter had to own his failures. Peter needed to humble himself before the Lord and before those he let down with his arrogance and denials. Only then could the Lord raise Peter back from failure and restore him to leadership. Only after Peter could acknowledge his failure – an admission that had to come from his heart – would he be ready for leadership. In our experience with leaders who sin today, we often toss them into one ditch of destruction or the other. We either gloat over, gossip about or pour shame out on leaders who sin publicly. We’re used to doing this because of the popularity of gossip magazines and TV shows about entertainers. So we jump in and do the same thing to those among us who fail in our Christian family. We perpetuate and spread the gangrenous poison of one sin through our own sin. Or on the other hand, we try to be nice and say we don’t want to judge them too harshly; so we end up ignoring their sin. Sometimes this means allowing a leader to continue without ever repenting. Other times we quietly ostracize that person by simply ignoring them and putting them on the back shelf of irrelevance and disassociation. Either way, the leader – our Christian brother or sister – is not restored to life and ministry
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 3:21-22
My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. —Proverbs 3:21-22 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God used his wisdom to create the cosmos and all that is in it. Through his discernment, he appointed to each being and each item its place in his dazzling display of diversity. He has chosen to share that wisdom and discernment with those who reverence him and search for HIS wisdom. If we use that wisdom and discernment, we will possess the greatest of all jewels – “an ornament to grace your neck” – and a blessing that will enrich our lives. My Prayer… Father, I know that you will bless me with wisdom if I ask for it (James 1:5-8). So, dear Father, I am asking for that wisdom in faith. I want to live a holy life that is a clear reflection of your character and brings honor to your holiness, compassion, and faithfulness. Please bless me with wisdom and discernment as I face the day-to-day decisions that I must make that impact my life and the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, I ask for this grace. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
21 Aug 2025
May the word we hear from the Lord be retained in us, may we preserve, and may it produce a good crop. May we learn to hear God despite the “noise” around us. May He help us develop the skill to distinguish His voice from other voices. And may we help others grow in this skill. May we also find favour with the Lord so that He keeps speaking to us. Luke 8:11-15.
Today’s Verse – Ephesians 2:19-20
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. —Ephesians 2:19-20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “We belong!” That’s what the apostle Paul is telling those of us who are not biologically children of Abraham but have come to the only true and living God through faith in Jesus. Paul said it this way: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). We’re no longer outsiders or second-class citizens or a “Johnny come lately” disciples of Jesus! We are full children of God because Jesus tore down all barriers between us and God (Ephesians 2:14-18). Because of grace, we belong! We are part of God’s household! The foundation of our house of Jesus is made up of the apostles and prophets. The cornerstone of that house is Jesus himself. We are also a part of this holy house of God. Praise God, because of Jesus, we belong as God’s beloved children! My Prayer… El Shaddai, God of the mountains and LORD God Almighty, the covenant God of Israel, from age to age, your steadfast love has blessed your people with your promises, your grace, and your future. Thank you for bringing me into your family, into your people, by grace through faith in Jesus.* Thank you for making me a vital part of your house. Forgive me for the times that I have doubted my importance to your cause and awaken in me the realization that I belong to you and to your household. In Jesus’ name, I thank you. Amen. * Emphasized by Paul earlier in Ephesians 2:1-10. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
20 Aug 2025
May the Lord allow us to see what He is doing and to hear what He is saying. Desiring to hear God is one thing. Him enabling us to hear Him and see what He is doing is another. May He have mercy on us and reveal His will concerning our circumstances. Luke 8:10.
19 Aug 2025
Hearing what God says would help us not to worry. Whatever we are going through would not unsettle us if we heard God concerning that situation. May that be our portion. May the Lord reach out to us and reassure us. Psalm 23:4, 86:5-11.
18 Aug 2025
I was reminded that I have to keep casting all my cares on the Lord. 1 Peter 5:7. As I try to surrender all to Him, I should also give up my worries. What is bothering you today? Remember that the Lord cares for you and that He is able to do all things. He was present at the beginning, and nothing is too difficult for Him. Genesis 1:2. Worrying makes one anxious.
Today’s Verse – John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. —John 15:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Were you ever the last one chosen at recess when kids were dividing up teams? Were you ever the one no one wanted on your team? Ouch. That hurts deeply. So, isn’t it remarkable that God, the Creator of the universe, chose us in Jesus Christ, even before the beginning of the world (Ephesians 1:4)? Isn’t it amazing that we are loved and desired by the King of the Ages and his Son, Jesus Christ! Not only that, we weren’t chosen out of pity, but chosen to make a difference for the Kingdom of God by bearing fruit that will endure. To help ensure our fruitfulness, Jesus promised that we can ask for God’s blessing on our work for His Kingdom, and God will bless us with it. Incredible! My Prayer… Give me a heart, O God, that is open to your work and a vision that is as expansive as your grace. May my prayers ask for things that bring you glory, expand the borders of your kingdom, and reach beyond the limited things that so often distract me. I invite you to do great things for your Kingdom through me as I remain connected wholeheartedly to Jesus, to your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 31:16
Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. —Psalm 31:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Can your faith remain strong during trying times? I hope mine can! This is a Psalm written during trying times. However, no matter how difficult the situation seemed, the Psalmist still knew who God is and believed what God can do when he decides to do it. Even in trial, the psalmist doesn’t lose sight of the blessings that come from the LORD being present. So, he says that the LORD’s presence and love will be with him and save him. Let’s choose to pray that same prayer: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your unfailing love. My Prayer… Father, please make your presence known in my life. I am confident you are there; I just need to experience your presence in a tangible way and receive your salvation in all of its fullness, with confidence. So in Jesus’ name, I expectantly pray that you will grant the prayer of the psalmist, which is also my prayer, today. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Romans 8:15-16
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. —Romans 8:15-16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Ab-ba. Listen to a baby and you will hear these basic early sounds. Incredibly, Jesus showed us, and the Spirit enables us, to speak to God with these basic-to-a-baby syllables of familiarity, trust, vulnerability, dependency, and intimacy. The Spirit is our guarantee that we don’t have to be afraid of God. We must revere him and hold him in awe, but we can also approach him as our loving and tender Father who always listens to our hearts and seeks to bless our lives. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Abba Father, you are glorious and majestic. Your deeds are marvelous. Your power, O LORD, is unfathomable. Your grace, Almighty God, is incomparable. Thank you for allowing me to approach you as my always near and ever-present Abba. I seek your nearness in my life today through the help of the Holy Spirit. I pray that I will live for your glory and honor through the strength and in the name of Jesus, my LORD. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.