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By the Sea Once More
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come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon,
and bread.”
“Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now
caught.” Peter rushed for the net, which he had dropped, and helped
drag it to shore. After the work was done, Jesus divided the food
among them and was known and acknowledged by all the seven.
But a mysterious awe was on them, and in silence they gazed on the
risen Saviour.
Vividly they recalled the scene beside the sea when Jesus had
bidden them follow Him. He had called them to leave their fishing
boats and had promised to make them fishers of men. To bring
this scene to their minds and to deepen its impression, He had
again performed the miracle as a renewal of the commission to the
disciples. The death of their Master had not lessened their obligation
to do the work He had assigned them. Though deprived of support
by their former employment, the risen Saviour would provide for
their needs. If they labored in connection with Him, they could not
fail of success.
Peter Is Restored to Confidence
Another lesson Christ had to give. Peter’s denial of his Lord had
been in shameful contrast to his former professions of loyalty. He
had dishonored Christ, and his brethren thought he would not be
allowed to take his former position among them. He himself felt
that he had forfeited his trust. He must before them all give evidence
of his repentance. Without this, his sin might destroy his influence
as a minister of Christ. The Saviour gave him opportunity to regain
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the confidence of his brethren, and, so far as possible, to remove the
reproach he had brought on the gospel.
Here is a lesson for all Christ’s followers. Secret sins are to be
confessed in secret to God; but, for open sin, open confession is
required. The disciple’s sin causes Satan to triumph and wavering
souls to stumble. By giving proof of repentance the disciple is to
remove this reproach.
While Christ and the disciples were eating together, the Saviour
said to Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?”
referring to his brethren. “Yea, Lord,” he said, “Thou knowest