按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
； and refined； agents through whom men might be led to a knowledge of the truth。
Much of the time of Christ's ministry had been passed near the Sea of Galilee。 As the disciples gathered in a place where they were not likely to be disturbed； they found themselves surrounded by reminders of Jesus and His mighty works。 On this sea； when their hearts were filled with terror； and the fierce storm was hurrying them to destruction； Jesus had walked upon the billows to their rescue。 Here the tempest had been hushed by His word。 Within sight was the beach where above ten thousand persons had been fed from a few small loaves and fishes。 Not far distant was Capernaum； the scene of so many miracles。 As the disciples
810
looked upon the scene； their minds were full of the words and deeds of their Saviour。
The evening was pleasant； and Peter； who still had much of his old love for boats and fishing； proposed that they should go out upon the sea and cast their nets。 In this plan all were ready to join； they were in need of food and clothing； which the proceeds of a successful night's fishing would supply。 So they went out in their boat； but they caught nothing。 All night they toiled； without success。 Through the weary hours they talked of their absent Lord； and recalled the wonderful events they had witnessed in His ministry beside the sea。 They questioned as to their own future； and grew sad at the prospect before them。
All the while a lone watcher upon the shore followed them with His eye； while He Himself was unseen。 At length the morning dawned。 The boat was but a little way from the shore； and the disciples saw a stranger standing upon the beach； who accosted them with the question； 〃Children； have ye any meat？〃 When they answered； 〃No；〃 〃He said unto them； Cast the net on the right side of the ship； and ye shall find。 They cast therefore； and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes。〃
John recognized the stranger； and exclaimed to Peter； 〃It is the Lord。〃 Peter was so elated and so glad that in his eagerness he cast himself into the water and was soon standing by the side of his Master。 The other disciples came in their boat； dragging the net with fishes。 〃As soon then as they were come to land； they saw a fire of coals there； and fish laid thereon； and bread。〃
They were too much amazed to question whence came the fire and the food。 〃Jesus saith unto them； Bring of the fish which ye have now caught。〃 Peter rushed for the net； which he had dropped； and helped his brethren drag it to the shore。 After the work was done； and the preparation made； Jesus bade the disciples come and dine。 He broke the food； and divided it among them； and was known and acknowledged by all the seven。 The miracle of feeding the five thousand on the mountainside was now brought to their minds； but a mysterious awe was upon them； and in silence they gazed upon the risen Saviour。
Vividly they recalled the scene beside the sea when Jesus had bidden them follow Him。 They remembered how； at His command； they had launched out into the deep； and had let down their net； and the catch had been so abundant as to fill the net； even to breaking。 Then Jesus had called them to leave their fishing boats； and had promised to make them
811
fishers of men。 It was to bring this scene to their minds； and to deepen its impression； that He had again performed the miracle。 His act was a renewal of the commission to the disciples。 It showed them that the death of their Master had not lessened their obligation to do the work He had assigned them。 Though they were to be deprived of His personal companionship； and of the means of support by their former employment； the risen Saviour would still have a care for them。 While they were doing His work； He would provide for their needs。 And Jesus had a purpose in bidding them cast their net on the right side of the ship。 On that side He stood upon the shore。 That was the side of faith。 If they labored in connection with Him；His divine power combining with their human effort；they could not fail of success。
Another lesson Christ had to give； relating especially to Peter。 Peter's denial of his Lord had been in shameful contrast to his former professions of loyalty。 He had dishonored Christ； and had incurred the distrust of his brethren。 They thought he would not be allowed to take his former position among them； and he himself felt that he had forfeited his trust。 Before being called to take up again his apostolic work； he must before them all give evidence of his repentance。 Without this； his sin； though repented of； might have destroyed his influence as a minister of Christ。 The Saviour gave him opportunity to regain the confidence of his brethren； and； so far as possible； to remove the reproach he had brought upon the gospel。
Here is given a lesson for all Christ's followers。 The gospel makes no compromise with evil。 It cannot excuse sin。 Secret sins are to be confessed in secret to God； but； for open sin； open confession is required。 The reproach of the disciple's sin is cast upon Christ。 It causes Satan to triumph； and wavering souls to stumble。 By giving proof of repentance； the disciple； so far as lies in his power； is to remove this reproach。
While Christ and the disciples were eating together by the seaside； the Saviour said to Peter； 〃Simon； son of Jonas； lovest thou Me more than these？〃 referring to his brethren。 Peter had once declared； 〃Though all men shall be offended because of Thee； yet will I never be offended。〃 Matt。 26：33。 But he now put a truer estimate upon himself。 〃Yea； Lord；〃 he said； 〃Thou knowest that I love Thee。〃 There is no vehement assurance that his love is greater than that of his brethren。 He does not express his own opinion of his devotion。 To Him who can read all the motives of the heart he appeals to judge as to his sincerity；〃Thou knowest that I love Thee。〃 And Jesus bids him； 〃Feed My lambs。〃
812
Again Jesus applied the test to Peter； repeating His former words： 〃Simon； son of Jonas； lovest thou Me？〃 This time He did not ask Peter whether he loved Him better than did his brethren。 The second response was like the first； free from extravagant assurance： 〃Yea； Lord； Thou knowest that I love Thee。〃 Jesus said to him； 〃Feed My sheep。〃 Once more the Saviour put the trying question： 〃Simon； son of Jonas； lovest thou Me？〃 Peter was grieved； he thought that Jesus doubted his love。 He knew that his Lord had cause to distrust him； and with an aching heart he answered； 〃Lord； Thou knowest all things； Thou knowest that I love Thee。〃 Again Jesus said to him； 〃Feed My sheep。〃
Three times Peter had openly denied his Lord； and three times Jesus drew from him the assurance of his love and loyalty； pressing home that pointed question； like a barbed arrow to his wounded heart。 Before the assembled disciples Jesus revealed the depth of Peter's repentance； and showed how thoroughly humbled was the once boasting disciple。
Peter was naturally forward and impulsive； and Satan had taken advantage of these characteristics to overthrow him。 Just before the fall of Peter； Jesus had said to him； 〃Satan