the fire-man
"I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!" —Luke 12:49
Jesus had a strong desire to light a fire on the earth. When He was immersed in the baptism of pain on Calvary (see Lk 12:50; Mk 10:38), He ignited this purifying fire. This fire still rages throughout the world in the hearts of millions. Every day, disciples of Jesus say "to one another, 'Were not our hearts burning inside us as He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?' " (Lk 24:32) This fire of God's word (Jer 23:29) is the fire of purification that leads to genuine love (1 Pt 1:22).
Everyone wants to be loved and to love. However, love doesn't just happen to us. It is a gift of God which we must accept by making many decisions. To choose love we must choose to be painfully purified by fire. Do you want true love? Then you want God, Who is Love (1 Jn 4:16) and "a consuming Fire" (Heb 12:29). Decide to throw yourself into the fire of God's love. You will become purified and fire-tried. Then you will live in His love (Jn 15:9). Jump into His fire.
Prayer: God, consuming Fire, consume me.
Promise: "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." —Rm 6:23
Praise: John had a powerful preaching ministry which God blessed with many healings. John fueled his ministry by frequent prayer, fasting, and much redemptive suffering.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 22, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 26, 1997