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The Desire of Ages
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 sea-
side, 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.”
Matthew 26:33
. But he now put a truer estimate upon him-
self. “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.”
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