“Simon son of John, do you love me? . . . Feed my sheep.”
John 21:17
It was on a seashore where Jesus first called (Simon) Peter to join Him in ministry (Matthew 4:18–20). Peter and his brother, Andrew, were fishermen and were casting nets when Jesus passed them by. It was time for a change in what Peter fished for: “I will send you out to fish for people.” Jesus came to Peter’s shore once again a few years later—after much had taken place and Peter had reverted to his old life.
Another interesting recurrence took place in the life of Peter. It was around a fire where Peter first denied the Lord on the night that Jesus was betrayed (John 18:18). Two additional denials followed in the high priest’s courtyard. It was also around a fire where Jesus restored Peter.
Let’s look in John chapter 21 when the fishing and the fire come together at a pivotal moment. Peter was back in a boat fishing with five of the other disciples sometime after Jesus’ resurrection. Defeated and ashamed, he had gone back to his old lifestyle.
After a futile night of catching nothing, Jesus appeared on shore and told them to cast their net off the right side. You know what happened: they had an incredible catch. There was only one Person who had the power to make this happen. Peter realized it was Jesus and got so excited that he jumped out of the boat and swam to shore, while the others hauled in the fish and came ashore as well.
“When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread” (21:9). The Lord chose this setting to remind Peter of his sin and to help him move on. Peter needed to honor Jesus’ initial call for him to be a fisher of men. Right by that fire (which no doubt reminded Peter of that fateful night of three failures), Jesus then restored Peter three times.
Sometimes when we stumble, the temptation is to move away from God instead of closer, on our spiritual knees in repentance. Maybe we made a mistake in a moment of weakness. Maybe there is an unconfessed sin that has broken our fellowship with Him. Let me remind you of the truth: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24a). Let me also remind you of the prayer: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
Maybe you have repented, but the scar remains or Satan reminds you of your past. You are like David: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (Psalm 51:3). Remember that you are forgiven! As the saying goes, when Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future. 1 John 1:9 is a shining beacon: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”