Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The first time that coals
of fire are mentioned in the scriptures is found in the instruction
of the Lord to Aaron in making a sin offering for the people.
And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from
off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense,
beaten small, and bring it within the veil. And he shall put the
incense upon the fire before the Lord, and the cloud of the
incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony. The
intense heat of these coals of fire pictures the sufferings
of our Savior, who endured the cross for the joy that was set
before Him. We see that these coals of fire, which denote the
sufferings of Christ, were kindled by Him who will judge sin most
harshly, neither clearing the guilty nor acquitting the wicked.
The same one who wrote the law is he who determined to send
his only begotten son into the world as a sin bearer, condemned
by that same law. To declare, I say, at this time
his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of
him which believeth in Jesus. For what the law could not do,
in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own son
in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in
the flesh. John the baptizer testified to
his disciples concerning the weakness of his own baptizing,
contrasted with that of the Redeemer, when he said, I indeed baptize
you with water, but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of
whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you
with the Holy Ghost and with fire. This same fire is ordained
for the cleansing of the sons of God and the destruction of
the wicked. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed
from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance
on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
of his power. We see this purging, that is
pruning, of the Lord's branches connected with coals of fire,
as Peter warmed himself there in the courtyard of the judgment
hall. And the servants and the 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. Satan
had desired to sift Peter's wheat, even as he did with the Lord's
servant Job many years before. Yet the Lord prayed for him that
his faith would not fail. The Lord set this stage to teach
Peter that he could not stand in his own power, in spite of
his boasting that he would even face death for the Lord. So we
see him warming himself by the same fire of coals as these unbelievers. Yet the Lord meant this trial
of Peter for a completely different purpose, as Peter's warmth was
soon turned to tears of sorrow, and ultimately repentance, as
he denied knowing the Lord three times, the last with an oath.
How foolish are men when they trust in their own power! Yet
the Lord made provision for Peter and purged him, consuming his
self-reliance and bitter tears which flowed from Peter's eyes.
Then we are brought to observe the most comforting sight in
John's gospel, as we behold the risen Christ on the seashore,
having prepared a meal for his weary friends. They had toiled
all night and had caught no fish by their own endeavors. Yet when
the Lord instructed them where to cast the net, they brought
in a multitude of fish. It is interesting to point out
that John tells the exact number of fish, 153, which were in the
net. Those fish in that net were appointed
by Him to be caught, and not one of them got away. In all
of this we see the Lord's provisions for His disciples. For not only
did He teach them where to cast their net, but He prepared a
meal of fish and bread for them on a fire of coals. No doubt
this was a welcome sight to them, for here they were able to fellowship
with the Lord, to be fed by a meal which they did not prepare, and
to warm themselves by a fire of coals which they had not kindled. Is this not indicative of the
Lord's constant provision for His children? What do we have
that He has not provided for us? Perhaps the Lord kindled
this fire of coals specifically for Peter, to remind him of that
other fire of coals which he had recently warmed himself by.
Yet this was not unto Peter's condemnation, but rather to demonstrate
the mercy and kindness of the Lord as he is faithful and just
to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. For it was here by this fire
of coals that the Lord restored Peter as he told him to feed
my sheep. We see that brought to fruition
not many days hence on the day of Pentecost. Have you seen this
fire of coals and been warmed thereby? For a free CD containing
15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at
windstream.net