From Fish to the Fire

As he stood with the other servants and officers warming himself by the world's fire, Simon Peter was asked if he was one of Christ's disciples and he denied it saying, "I am not." St. John 18:17. (KJV)

At the sea of Tiberias, Peter went forth and boarded a ship to go fishing. He and several other fishermen toiled all night, but caught nothing. This incident is proof that no matter how good we think we are, without divine intervention, we can't accomplish anything. Jesus showed himself to the disciples who were with Peter but they knew him not. He spake unto them saying, "Cast the net on the right side of the ship." They obeyed, casting forth their nets and the catch was so great they were unable to draw it. St.John 21:6.(KJV)

When Jesus decided to call Peter to discipleship, he used fish as a means of persuasion for Peter was an expert fisherman. Jesus' charge to Peter was, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19. (KJV) For many years, Peter followed Jesus. He grew increasingly strong in the spirit and on one occasion the anointing empowered (this once doubting man) him when he declared that "Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God." Jesus, recognizing the anointing blessed Peter saying , "Those very words would be the foundation upon which he (Jesus) would build his church and the gates of hell (the power of Satan) would not prevail against it. This was a turning point for Peter who had previously denied knowing Jesus.

Before his restoration, Peter was outspoken and carnal minded. On one occasion, Jesus rebuked him saying, 'Thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things of God, but those that be of men." Matthew 16:23.(KJV)

When the day came for Jesus to be betrayed and taken before Caiaphas, the high priest, Peter followed him afar off and went in and sat with the servants to see the end. After several encounters with individuals accusing him of knowing Christ, Peter began to swear, curse, and deny vehemently that he knew not the Christ. After a short time, the cock crowed. Matthew 26:74. (KJV) It was at this moment that Peter knew (in his heart) he had betrayed the one he swore he would never forsaken. He went out and wept bitterly. Sure he had a passion for Jesus and wanted to follow him, but without the fire of the Holy Ghost our passions are merely a spark.

On the Day of Pentecost, this same Peter who had once betrayed Christ, warming himself by the world's fire was now filled with the fire. He was transformed from an earthly seeker of fish to a fishermen of souls. The Anointing---Taking Us from Earthly to Eternal.

By Naomi J. Brown