Jesus at Galilee
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of the means of sustenance by the pursuit of their favorite employment,
yet a resurrected Saviour had a care over them, and would provide
for them while they were doing his work. Jesus also had a purpose
in bidding them cast their net upon the right side of the ship. On that
side stood Christ upon the shore. If they labored in connection with
him—his divine power uniting with their human effort—they would
not fail of success.
The repetition of the miraculous draught of fishes was a renewal
of Christ’s commission to his disciples. It showed them that the death
of their Master did not remove their obligation to do the work which
he had assigned them. To Peter, who had acted on many occasions
as representative of the twelve, a special lesson was given. The part
which he had acted on the night of his Lord’s betrayal was so shameful
and inconsistent with his former assertions of loyalty and devotion,
that it was necessary for him to give evidence to all the disciples that
he sincerely repented of his sin before he could resume his apostolic
work. The Saviour designed to place him where he could regain the
entire confidence of his brethren, lest, in the time of emergency, their
distrust because of his former failure might cripple his usefulness.
The disciples expected that Peter would no longer be allowed to
occupy the prominent position in the work which he had hitherto held,
and he himself had lost his customary self-confidence. But Jesus, while
dining by the sea-side, singled out Peter, saying, “Simon, son of Jonas,
lovest thou me more than these?” referring to his brethren. Peter had
once said, “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will
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I never be offended,” and had expressed himself ready to go to prison
and to death with his Master. But now he s a true estimate upon himself
in the presence of the disciples: “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love
thee.” In this response of Peter there is no vehement assurance that
his affection is greater than that of his companions; he does not even
express his own opinion of his devotion to his Saviour, but appeals
to that Saviour, who can read all the motives of the human heart, to
himself judge as to his sincerity,—“Thou knowest that I love thee.”
The reply of Jesus was positively favorable to the repentant disci-
ple, and placed him in a position of trust. It was, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus applied the test to Peter, repeating his former words: “Si-
mon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” This time he did not ask the
disciple whether he loved him better than did his brethren. The second