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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 3
speculated upon what their own future would be, 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 distance from the shore, and the disciples
saw a stranger standing upon the beach, who accosted them with the
question, “Children, have ye any meat?” Not recognizing Jesus, they
answered, “No.” “And 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.”
The disciples were filled with wonder at the result of their trial;
but John now discerned who the stranger was, and exclaimed to Peter,
“It is the Lord.” Joy now took the place of disappointment. Peter
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immediately girt about him his fisher’s coat, and, throwing himself
into the water, was soon standing by the side of his Lord. 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 repast. “Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye
have now caught.” Peter, obeying the command, rushed for the net
which he had so unceremoniously dropped, and helped his brethren
drag it to the shore. After the work was all done, and the preparation
made, Jesus bade the disciples come and dine. He broke the bread and
the fish, and divided it among them, and in so doing he was known
and acknowledged of all the seven. The miracle of feeding the five
thousand upon the mountain-side was now brought distinctly to their
minds; but a mysterious awe was upon them, and they kept silent as
they looked upon their resurrected Saviour.
They remembered that at the commencement of his ministry a
similar scene had been enacted to that which had just taken place. Jesus
had then bade them launch out into the deep, and let down their nets
for a draught, and the net had broken because of the amount of fishes
taken. Then he had bade them leave their nets and follow him, and
he would make them fishers of men. This last miracle that Jesus had
just wrought was for the purpose of making the former miracle more
impressive; that the disciples might perceive that, notwithstanding they
were to be deprived of the personal companionship of their Master, and
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