Read: John 21:1-17; Matthew 9:35-38
Turmoil and skepticism. Two words that along with many others, describe what we see in many places. Uncertainty tries to wash over us like the tide coming in upon us. At times, it feels like we are trying to balance on a slip-and-slide. However, we are not without hope. There are things we can learn from two different, yet similar, fireside chats. One from our own country's history and an even more precious one we read about in the apostle John's account of Jesus' ministry.
Let's start with the one from our own history. It occurred on March 12, 1933. Only one week after President Franklin Roosevelt was inaugurated. It was the beginning of the Great Depression. Those days must have been incredibly uncertain. There were runs on the banks. People wanted their money, and fearful depositors wanted to withdraw all that they had entrusted to the banks. The classic movie "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE portrays the panic well as people stood in lines ready to withdraw more than the bank would have on hand at any given time. What to do to help people deal with the fear and uncertainty? That's when the idea of what would later be known as fireside chats began.
Radio broadcasts from the President to the American people. President Roosevelt spoke plainly and calmly. Helping people to know that a plan was in place for banks to open again after what became known as a bank holiday. He said their money was safer at the lending institutions than under their mattresses. Near the end of his speech to the American people, he said that confidence and courage were what was needed to get through this crisis. In all, between 1933 and 1944, Roosevelt had 30 of these fireside chats. Some during the Great Depression and some prior to and during World War II, and confidence and courage were indeed benchmarks that helped our country through those very difficult years.
Now let's go back much further in time to an early morning after Jesus had risen from the dead. He had already appeared to His disciples and to others, but this appearance was special. Several of Jesus' men had been night fishing, and as often is the case, they had caught nothing, but Jesus was on the shore, and he had fish and bread on a fire. When he called out to the disciples and directed them to where the fish were, everything got exciting. From fruitless fishing to having 153 large ones in the net. I wonder who counted them up? No matter. The door was open for a fireside chat. They all had breakfast together.
Whatever was discussed at first isn't shared with us; however, the discourse between Peter and the Savior was sweet beyond words. Can we imagine how Peter might have felt about his failure? Hadn't he been certain he wouldn't fall, and yet, he denied the One he loved three times. Perhaps, as is believed by many wise commentators, that is why Jesus questioned him three times so Peter could affirm his love as many times as he had denied the Master. Jesus did even more during this chat. He gave Peter the precious responsibility of feeding and caring for Jesus' sheep. Because Peter did love the Lord, he was to tend the lambs Jesus loved, Matthew 9:35-38. Peter wasn't on probation, and he didn't have to get in the back of the apostles' line. To know that Jesus had given Peter, once again, this precious assignment must have buoyed up his confidence and courage. Surely, these words from Jesus showed Jesus' men what it looked like to deal with each other with grace. Now that's much more amazing than catching all those fish.
What about us? What can we learn from two fireside chats that happened so long ago?
First, from our country's history. People were reassured by the laying out of a plan.
Could we have a more reliable plan than what is given to us in the scriptures? From Genesis to Revelation, we are reminded that Almighty God has always had a plan. A plan of salvation, Genesis 3:15 so that people could spend eternity with Him. The scriptures give us all that we need to know about ourselves, Romans 3:23 and all we need to know about God's reaching-out love, Romans 5:6-11. President Roosevelt told his countrymen steps that would be taken, and he stated the ideas in words the ordinary citizen could understand.
We have been given truth that even a child can understand, John 3:16.Yes, there are verses in the Bible that are not easy to comprehend, but what God has done to show His love is plain to see in His death on the cross. In addition to that, what He will do in the future is clear and certain, and it is backed up by the God Who has all power to do exactly what He has said, Psalm 115:3. When we lack courage, and I'm fairly certain that all of us do from time to time, we can ask God for His strength and help, Psalm 46:1.
Second, Jesus' fireside chat with Peter. Jesus didn't cast off Peter; instead, He assured him that there was work for him to do. Satan wants us to hang our heads in defeat when we fall short or fail in some area. Not Jesus. If we have needed to turn from a sin and confess it, God is waiting to lift us up and strengthen us so that we can continue to serve Him. The victories are not over simply because we have fallen short. Godly sorrow, like Peter had, Luke 22:60-62, brings forth good fruit, 2 Corinthians 7:10 and the Holy Spirit enables us to continue to serve Jesus.
Lord, Thank You that You have a plan that won't be thwarted and that You have chosen us, Your redeemed children, to play a small part in it.
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