When I was a teenager, the Junior-Senior Banquet was our church’s replacement for the Senior Prom. Seated at the fancy table waiting for our food, I noticed the candles in little tin glass holders. Being a junior, and wanting to call attention to myself (little man syndrome), I said, “I bet I can put that candle out by holding my hand over it.” I put my hand over the glass tightly to suffocate the flame. Yes, it was hot! I foolishly held my hand there until the flame went out. I showed no sign of pain. I think I was the only one impressed. Later, I had a palm-sized blister on my hand a half inch deep. Did I pass the fire test or the fool test?
The three Hebrew children truly did pass the fire test. They chose to stand with God no matter how hot the flame. Jesus stood with them and they received no blisters. They weren’t foolish; they were faithful. We could learn a lesson from them.
I want us to look for a few minutes how Peter did with the fire test—and how you and I do. I would suggest there are three kinds of fire: Satan’s fire, God’s fire, and our own fire.
In John 10:18, we see Peter at the Devil’s fire. “And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals: for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.” His faith was tested there before that fire. It was there that he denied Christ. John was there (vs. 15) and Jesus was there (vs. 21). When the high priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine, He said, “ask them which heard me” (vs. 21). Peter could have been a witness for Jesus, but failed by the fire.
Have you or I ever failed to witness for Jesus for fear of what might happen to us? Have we ever warmed our hands at the Devil’s fire?
In John 21:9, Peter warmed himself at God’s fire. “As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.” Peter had been fishing all night with no results. At Jesus’ command, they had a great harvest of fish. When John told Peter that the man on the shore was Jesus, Peter cast himself into the sea. He didn’t walk on water. He didn’t have to. It was shallow. He did make his way toward Jesus. Wet and cold, he found himself dining at Jesus’ fire. Once again, he was tested. Three times Jesus asked him, “Lovest thou me?” Peter answered “yes” each time.
How often in Christian circles do we take a stand for Jesus? We certainly should. How wonderful when we have failed, Jesus again calls unto us, “Come and dine” (vs. 12).
Peter must have passed this test by the fire. Jesus commissioned him to feed the lambs and sheep. He also reaffirmed his original call. “Follow me” (vs. 19).
You and I are always welcome at Jesus’ fire.
We have looked at the Devil’s fire and God’s fire. What about our own fire? How do we find warmth for our soul? Instead of going to God’s fire and dining with Him, we often build our own fire. Isaiah 50:11 shows us how foolish this is. “Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand: ye shall lie down in sorrow.” Are we trusting in our own fire? How did Peter do? Peter obeyed the great commission. He went all the way to Babylon feeding sheep and lambs and building churches (1 Peter 5:13).
How warm is your heart, friend? Don’t be a fool with fire. Warm your hands and your heart at Jesus’ fire!
So true! Always stay close to Jesus!