The Fire of Restoration

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

February 15th Sermon, Day 3

When Peter reached the shore, he found Jesus cooking breakfast over a fire of burning coals. This wasn't coincidental - it was the same type of fire where Peter had denied Jesus three times. But this time, the fire wasn't a place of denial; it was a place of restoration. Jesus could have chosen any way to prepare breakfast, but He specifically chose burning coals. He was creating a sacred space where healing could happen.

Sometimes God brings us back to the very place of our failure - not to shame us, but to redeem it. The resurrected Lord of the Universe, Victor over sin and death, was cooking breakfast for His friends. This beautiful picture shows us that Jesus doesn't just tolerate us after we fail - He delights in us. He serves us. He cares for our most basic needs while addressing our deepest wounds.

Restoration doesn't begin with fixing our behavior or proving we've changed. It begins with re-centering love. Before Jesus asked Peter to do anything, He provided for him. Before any conversation about the future, there was the simple act of sharing a meal together. God's grace meets us exactly where we are, transforms the places of our greatest shame into places of His greatest glory.

Bible Verse

When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. - John 21:9

Reflection Question

What painful memory or place of failure might God want to transform into a place of restoration in your life?

Quote But this time the fire isn't a place of denial. It's a place of restoration.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for turning my places of shame into places of restoration. Help me trust that You can redeem even my most painful memories for Your glory.