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From Heaven With Love
After Peter had been led to self-renunciation, he received the call to
work for Christ.
The disciples had witnessed many of Christ’s miracles, and had
listened to His teaching, but none had entirely forsaken their former
employment. The imprisonment of John the Baptist had been a bitter
disappointment. If such were the outcome of John’s mission, they
could have little hope for their Master, with the religious leaders
combined against Him. It was a relief 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. On
reaching shore, Jesus bade the three others, “Follow Me, and I will
make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left all and followed
Him.
Sacrifice Rewarded
Before asking them to leave their fishing boats, Jesus had given
them the assurance that God would supply their needs. The use
of Peter’s boat 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.”
Romans 10:12
;
Luke 6:38
. In this measure He had rewarded
Peter’s service. And every sacrifice made in His ministry will be
recompensed. See
Ephesians 3:20
;
2:7
.
During that sad night on the lake, separated from Christ, the
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disciples were pressed hard by unbelief. But His presence kindled
faith, and brought joy and success. So with us; apart from Christ our
work is fruitless, and it is easy to distrust and murmur. But when we
labor under His direction, we rejoice in the evidence of His power.
He inspires us with faith and hope. He whose word could gather
fishes from the sea can also impress human hearts and draw them so
that His servants may become “fishers of men.”
Christ was abundantly able to qualify humble and unlearned men
for the position for which He had chosen them. The Saviour did not
despise education; when controlled by the love of God, intellectual
culture is a blessing. But the wise men of His time were so self-
confident that they could not become colaborers with the Man of
Nazareth. They scorned to be taught by Christ. The first thing to be