As winter settles, many of us find comfort in the crackle of burning logs in a wood-burning stove. There’s something timeless about gathering around a fire, the warmth, the flickering light, the sense of peace it brings on a cold night.
In the bible we find the story of Peter doing just that. It’s a cold evening in Jerusalem, and Peter warms himself by a fire in the courtyard of the high priest. But this moment of physical comfort becomes a spiritual turning point. As he stands by the stove, Peter is confronted three times and sadly denies knowing Jesus, just as Jesus had foretold. We even read that he used oaths and curses! But the story does not end there. Later Peter weeps bitterly, repents, and is subsequently forgiven.
We are also promised this same forgiveness when we repent like Peter. 1 John chapter 1 verse 9 says; If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
