Jesus at Galilee
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week, for their absence would have been interpreted as disaffection
and heresy. During that time they assembled together at evening in the
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upper chamber, where some of them had their home; here Jesus twice
revealed himself to them, and bade them tarry for a time at Jerusalem.
As soon as the passover was finished, the brethren left Jerusalem,
and went to Galilee as they had been directed. Seven of the disciples
were in company; they were clad in the humble garb of fishermen; they
were poor in worldly goods, but rich in the knowledge and practice of
the truth, which gave them, in the sight of Heaven, the highest rank as
teachers. They had not been students in the school of the prophets, but
for three years they had taken lessons from the greatest educator the
world has ever known. Under his tuition they had become elevated,
intelligent, and refined, fit mediums through which the souls of men
might be led to a knowledge of the truth.
Much of the time of the Saviour’s ministry was spent on the shores
of Galilee, and there many of his most wonderful miracles were per-
formed. As the disciples gathered together in a place where they were
not likely to be disturbed, their minds were full of Jesus and his mighty
works. On this sea, when their hearts were filled with terror, and the
fierce storm was hurrying them on to destruction, Jesus had walked
upon the crested billows to their rescue. Here the wildest storm was
hushed by his voice, which said to the raging deep, “Peace, be still.”
Within sight was the beach, where, by a mighty miracle, he had fed
above ten thousand persons from a few small loaves and fishes. Not
far distant was Capernaum, the scene of his most wonderful manifes-
tations, in healing the sick and in raising the dead. As the disciples
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looked again upon Galilee, their minds were full of the words and
deeds of their Saviour.
The evening was pleasant, and Peter, who retained much of his
old love for boats and fishing, proposed that they should go out upon
the sea and cast their nets. This proposition met with the approval of
all, for they were poor and in need of food and clothing, which they
would be able to procure with the proceeds of a successful night’s
fishing. So they went out upon the sea in their boat, to pursue their old
employment. But they toiled through the entire night with no success.
Through the long, weary hours they talked of their absent Lord, and
recalled the scenes and events of thrilling interest which had been
enacted in that vicinity, and of which they had been witnesses. They