[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]
NOTE.—This section includes the fifth, sixth, and seventh appearances of Jesus, recorded in John 20:19-23, Luke 24:36-43, 1 Cor. 15:5. Read those scriptures. The time is several days after the day of his resurrection. The place was on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, doubtless near Capernaum, where the disciples had often fished. During the time since his resurrection, Jesus had appeared to Mary alone, to the women, to Peter, to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, to the twelve after eight days from the first meeting, and again the seventh time to the seven apostles by the Sea of Galilee. This last meeting was by the appointment of Jesus, as recorded in Matt. 28:16. They went to Galilee for the very purpose of meeting Jesus, and as they were surrounded by the scenes of their former labor, some of the old desires came back, and this, in connection with discouragements which had arisen because of their disappointment concerning the temporal kingdom which they supposed Jesus came to set up, led them to return to their old occupations of life. And therefore Peter suggested that they "go a-fishing." The other disciples joined with him, and they toiled all night in their own way and by their own wisdom, and caught nothing. Here our lesson opens.
4. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; howbeit the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5. Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No.
6. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea.
8. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes.
9. So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken.
11. Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three; and for all there were so many, the net was not rent.
12. Jesus saith unto them, Come and break your fast. And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13. Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise.
14. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
15. So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep.
17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Golden Text: "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." Verse 17.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Who stood on the shore of the lake in the morning? Verse 4. (2) What question did he ask his disciples, and what reply did they make? Verse 5. Note 1. (3) What did he tell them to do? Verse 6. (4) What was the result of their obedience? Same verse. (5) How did this miracle affect John? Verse 7. (6) What did Simon Peter do as soon as he heard John say that it was the Lord? Same verse. (7) How did the other disciples follow? Verse 8. (8) What did they find on reaching the shore? Verse 9. (9) What did Jesus tell them? Verse 10. (10) What is said of the fish they caught? Verse 11. Note 3. (11) What invitation did Jesus give them? Verse 12. (12) Of what were his disciples fully convinced? (13) On their accepting his invitation, what did he do? Verse 13. (14) What is said of this appearance of Jesus to his disciples? Verse 14. Note 2. (15) After they had dined, what questions did Jesus ask Peter, and what did Peter reply? Verses 15-17. Note 4.
NOTES.
1. THERE is a gentle reproof contained in the question our Saviour asked. Two years before this his disciples had been called to the exclusive work of the Gospel ministry. He had bidden them follow him, and henceforth he would make them fishers of men. As his work while here was to do the Father's will, so their work henceforth was to be like his. In evident discouragement they had gone to work for themselves, and they had found their labor as directed by themselves profitless. The question asked by our Saviour, "Children, have ye aught to eat?" was evidently designed to direct their minds to the fact that they were not doing their appointed work, and had accomplished nothing.
2. THIS was the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples as a body. It does not take into account his different appearances to different individuals.
3. ONCE before Jesus had wrought a miracle for the benefit of the disciples, and it is said that at that time the net brake. See Luke 5:6. But in this instance, although there was a great draught of fishes, yet was not the net broken. The Lord would show by this that fishing under his direction, gathering souls into the Gospel net, would be a success, and the Gospel net, the precious truth of God, would be able to stand whatever demands were made upon it by those who submitted to it. One single cord of God's truth is able to hold the world if the world will depend upon it. It will be noted further that the fish which they caught were not needed for their breakfast that morning, for they found, on reaching the shore, that bread and fish were both prepared for the morning meal.
4. The words translated "love" in these verses are not in every instance from the same words in the Greek. There are finer changes of meaning brought out in the original than can be rendered into the English. The word "love" that Jesus uses twice comes from the Greek word agapao, while the word used by Peter and by Jesus the last time, is from the word phileo. Abbott says the word which Christ uses in his question, "Lovest thou me?" signifies, if not the higher, at least a more thoughtful and reverential affection founded on an intelligent estimate of character and accompanied by deliberate and well-considered choice. Peter's "I love thee" represents rather a personal instinctive love, accountable of feeling rather than of will, the affection, which, being spontaneous and instinctive, gives no account of itself and no reason for its existence. We are bade in the New Testament to exercise the first form of love toward God, but never the second. The Father is said to exercise both forms toward his own Son. Two different Greek words are also rendered indiscriminately "feed." Finally, three words are used to represent the flock which Christ commends to Peter's care,—lambs, sheep, and little sheep, the latter being a term of special affection. It will be noticed that the number of times Jesus asks Peter the question was the number of times which Peter denied his Lord on the night of his betrayal. It was no doubt a vivid remembrance of this which grieved Peter when Jesus asked him the third time. And Peter's reply to this showed that his self-sufficiency was gone. He appeals to the Lord's knowledge of himself, "Thou knowest that I dearly love thee." His humility in not claiming even the higher love showed that he was truly converted and one who was able indeed to feed and shepherd the Lord's flock. What a satisfaction it must have been to him also that the Lord, by the command which he gave him, showed that he reposed in him the same confidence which he had before Peter denied him! And what hope there is in this for every one who has at any time denied his Lord! When the Lord forgives, he forgives fully, and takes us back again to his own confidence. It is not a marvel that we should trust God; it is a wonderful marvel that he should repose confidence in us.
