The Two Fires: At the Table

By Pastor John Mateos Ong

All tables have different purposes. Some are for eating. Some are for holding meetings. Different sizes and different positions for everything. But a table is not only for eating; it’s also for conversing. Look at your tables differently. Make your table one of restoration.

Sometimes your table has a lot of good food but it lacks meaningful conversations. You have full stomachs but empty hearts. God gave us a full table not only to fill our stomachs but also to heal our hearts.

In the book of John, books 18 and 21, he describes 2 kinds of fire both pertaining to Peter.

John 18:17-18 says, ““You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.” Peter denied Jesus and in Matthew 16:75, it says Peter went out and wept bitterly. The fire exposed Peter’s mistake and made him realize his failure. It humbled Peter too.

John 21:3-5 says, ““I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.” Jesus did not ask Peter to fish because He needed it. he already had His own.

Verses 10-14 continues, “Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” Jesus asked them to come and have breakfast, bot only for Himself but for the others as well.

Verses 15-21 says, “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Do you love Jesus? If you do, do you still doubt that He can love a sinner like you?

How can Jesus restore a disciple who has failed? John 21 is a fire that restores. Fire has 2 functions. It can warm you or it can burn you. How can you have a fire rhat restores?

1.Be real. You can be around the table and not be authentic, honest and real. Jesus did not pretend that everything was ok. John 21:15 says, “Simon, sib of John, do you love me?” Jesus was trying to help Peter. He is not asking because He did not k ow. He just wanted to bring out the truth. If Jesus was asking you the same question right now, how would you answer? In our relationships, honesty needs wisdom. We do not tell all the details to everyone. We choose someone trustworthy who can listen and respond with care.  Also, respect the other person’s readiness to speak. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens and this way, you fulfill the law of Christ.” Healing begins when pretending ends. When you expose it, then people come in and help you.

Confidentiality-what is talked about around the table stays in the table

Honesty-half honesty is not honesty

Respect-sometimes you just need to listen

Intercession-pray for the person

Spiritual growth-align your advice with the bible

Team-be united as one

2.Extend grace - The table is not a place to jusge but to restore grace. Grace does not mean avoiding accountability. John 21:12 says, “Come and have breakfast.” Connect before you correct. Rick Warren once said, “People don’t care how much you know when the do not know how much you care.” Romans15:7 says, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Do to ithers what Jesus did to you. He accepted and forgave you as you are. Do the same. The fire should not feel like a courtroom. It should feel like grace. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachiny and to fellowship; to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Fellowship-Social Club

Study-School

Sing-Choir/music team

Pray-Prayer meeting

Church-Truth&Love

3.Be restored and refreshed. Food is important for your physical needs but the person behind the plate is more important. John 21:17 says, “Feed my sheep.” Take care of Jesus’ flock. Hebrews 10;24-35 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Encourage one another.

We are not just physical bodies. We have a soul and spirit too. When we come together at the table, we just feed and satisfy the body. But if we can oen up to one another, we feel our soul and have a connection with each other. But when we use the table to share God’s word, pray for each other and encourage one another, we also uplift the spirit.

People do not just need food. They need encouragement, restoration and a spiritual family.

John 18 is the fire of failure and John 21 is the fire of restoration. It’s all within you. Choose which fire you want to rekindle.

The table is not merely a place to ear. It is a place to be restored. Turn your tables into fires of restoration by showing authenticity, grace and honesty.