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！
could have had no more fitting scene for His labors。 The lake； the mountains； the spreading
245
fields； the sunlight flooding the earth； all furnished objects to illustrate His lessons and impress them upon the mind。 And no lesson of Christ's fell fruitless。 Every message from His lips came to some soul as the word of eternal life。
Every moment added to the multitude upon the shore。 Aged men leaning upon their staffs； hardy peasants from the hills； fishermen from their toil on the lake； merchants and rabbis； the rich and learned； old and young； bringing their sick and suffering ones； pressed to hear the words of the divine Teacher。 To such scenes as this the prophets had looked forward； and they wrote：
〃The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali； Toward the sea； beyond Jordan； Galilee of the Gentiles； The people which sat in darkness Saw a great light； And to them which sat in the region and shadow of death； To them did light spring up。〃 R。 V。
Beside the throng on the shores of Gennesaret； Jesus in His sermon by the sea had other audiences before His mind。 Looking down the ages； He saw His faithful ones in prison and judgment hall； in temptation and loneliness and affliction。 Every scene of joy and conflict and perplexity was open before Him。 In the words spoken to those gathered about Him； He was speaking also to these other souls the very words that would come to them as a message of hope in trial； of comfort in sorrow； and heavenly light in darkness。 Through the Holy Spirit； that voice which was speaking from the fisherman's boat on the Sea of Galilee； would be heard speaking peace to human hearts to the close of time。
The discourse ended； Jesus turned to Peter； and bade him launch out into the sea； and let down his net for a draught。 But Peter was disheartened。 All night he had taken nothing。 During the lonely hours he had thought of the fate of John the Baptist； who was languishing alone in his dungeon。 He had thought of the prospect before Jesus and His followers； of the ill success of the mission to Judea； and the malice of the priests and rabbis。 Even his own occupation had failed him； and as he watched by the empty nets； the future had seemed dark with discouragement。 〃Master；〃 he said； 〃we have toiled all the night； and have taken nothing： nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net。〃
246
Night was the only favorable time for fishing with nets in the clear waters of the lake。 After toiling all night without success； it seemed hopeless to cast the net by day； but Jesus had given the command； and love for their Master moved the disciples to obey。 Simon and his brother together let down the net。 As they attempted to draw it in； so great was the quantity of fish enclosed that it began to break。 They were obliged to summon James and John to their aid。 When the catch was secured； both the boats were so heavily laden that they were in danger of sinking。
But Peter was unmindful now of boats or lading。 This miracle； above any other he had ever witnessed； was to him a manifestation of divine power。 In Jesus he saw One who held all nature under His control。 The presence of divinity revealed his own unholiness。 Love for his Master； shame for his own unbelief； gratitude for the condescension of Christ； above all； the sense of his uncleanness in the presence of infinite purity； overwhelmed him。 While his companions were securing the contents of the net； Peter fell at the Saviour's feet； exclaiming； 〃Depart from me； for I am a sinful man； O Lord。〃
It was the same presence of divine holiness that had caused the prophet Daniel to fall as one dead before the angel of God。 He said； 〃My comeliness was turned in me into corruption； and I retained no strength。〃 So when Isaiah beheld the glory of the Lord； he exclaimed； 〃Woe is me！ for I am undone； because I am a man of unclean lips； and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips： for mine eyes have seen the King； the Lord of hosts。〃 Dan。 10：8； Isa。 6：5。 Humanity； with its weakness and sin； was brought in contrast with the perfection of divinity； and he felt altogether deficient and unholy。 Thus it has been with all who have been granted a view of God's greatness and majesty。
Peter exclaimed； 〃Depart from me； for I am a sinful man；〃 yet he clung to the feet of Jesus； feeling that he could not be parted from Him。 The Saviour answered； 〃Fear not； from henceforth thou shalt catch men。〃 It was after Isaiah has beheld the holiness of God and his own unworthiness that he was entrusted with the divine message。 It was after Peter had been led to self…renunciation and dependence upon divine power that he received the call to his work for Christ。
Until this time none of the disciples had fully united as colaborers with Jesus。 They had witnessed many of His miracles； and had listened to His teaching； but they had not entirely forsaken their former employment。
249
The imprisonment of John the Baptist had been to them all a bitter disappointment。 If such were to be the outcome of John's mission； they could have little hope for their Master； with all the religious leaders combined against Him。 Under the circumstances it was a relief to them to return for a short time to their fishing。 But now Jesus called them to forsake their former life； and unite their interests with His。 Peter had accepted the call。 Upon reaching the shore； Jesus bade the three other disciples； 〃Follow Me； and I will make you fishers of men。〃 Immediately they left all； and followed Him。
Before asking them to leave their nets and fishing boats； Jesus had given them the assurance that God would supply their needs。 The use of Peter's boat for the work of the gospel had been richly repaid。 He who is 〃rich unto all that call upon Him；〃 has said； 〃Give； and it shall be given unto you； good measure； pressed down； and shaken together； and running over。〃 Rom。 10：12； Luke 6：38。 In this measure He had rewarded the disciple's service。 And every sacrifice that is made in His ministry will be recompensed according to 〃the exceeding riches of His grace。〃 Eph。 3：20； 2：7。
During that sad night on the lake； when they were separated from Christ； the disciples were pressed hard by unbelief； and weary with fruitless toil。 But His presence kindled their faith； and brought them joy and success。 So it is with us； apart from Christ； our work is fruitless； and it is easy to distrust and murmur。 But when He is near； and we labor under His direction； we rejoice in the evidence of His power。 It is Satan's work to discourage the soul； it is Christ's work to inspire with faith and hope。
The deeper lesson which the miracle conveyed for the disciples is a lesson for us also；that He whose word could gather the fishes from the sea could also impress human hearts； and draw them by the cords of His love； so that His servants might become 〃fishers of men。〃
They were humble and unlearned men； those fishers of Galilee； but Christ； the light of the world； was abundantly able to qualify them for t