[Editor’s Note: This is week ten of the From the Garden to the City Blog Tour]
After Jesus’ resurrection, John tells us, in chapter 21 of his gospel, a little story about Jesus making the disciples breakfast and restoring Peter. Dyer notes in this chapter that Jesus uses a charcoal fire to cook breakfast. The interesting fact is that the previous mention of a charcoal fire is in the high priest’s courtyard. John goes out of his way to point out that Jesus uses the same medium of Peter’s sin to restore him. All of a sudden the fire isn’t just there to cook the fish, it’s there to remind John’s readers of Peter’s mistake. It’s there to point back to the terrible night where Peter disowned Jesus.
Throughout this whole chapter of Dyer’s book we see him arguing that God will one day restore technology; that God can use us to restore technology. We can use the technology of the Internet, or the iPhone, or the technology of a charcoal fire to do incredible things for the kingdom of God.
Jesus still does that today. I’ve met people who have ruined their lives with online pornography only to repent and begin building an incredible online ministry. Or people who have let their phone drive them away from their family by obsessing over work, only to turn around and begin using their phones to connect with their kids.
We have countless opportunities to restore technology or help support those who are: Missionary blogs, or sex trafficking documentaries, or Bible apps.
What are some ways you know, of which you could restore technology and use it for God’s glory?
Who are some of the people doing that today?
[Next week, we review chapter eight: Technicism]
Phil says
Ok, I might be a bit confused, but I don’t think “we” can restore technology. Tech needs to be restored to be freed from the negative trade-offs and unintended consequences that come with using tech. It’s not just the way we use technology, it’s the way that technology changes us that needs to be restored as well. At least, that’s what I thought. I guess I’m not sure.
My thoughts on the subject can be found here: http://wp.me/p1BHGJ-xt
Loren Pinilis says
I never saw that emphasis on the charcoal fire before – that’s fascinating.
I think it’s amazing how Jesus can redeem everything. Our greatest failures and sins can be used by him for his ultimate glory. It makes sense that other things like technology could be redeemed in this way too.
Caroline Gavin says
Thank you very much, Seth! Such an interesting article! I also had not noticed the emphasis on the charcoal fire.
How true that we can use gifts from God – such as intelligence, wealth or technology – to either sin or to bring glory to God and build His Kingdom.
Thank you for this reminder that technology can be used powerfully to serve our Father. A negative use of it in one arena does not negate the positive potential it has. I agree with Loren that God can redeem everything!