p. 12 | The Sabbath School by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 23.

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The Sabbath School

By Editor

International Series.

LESSON XIII.—SABBATH, JUNE 26, 1897.

THE MEETING AT THE SEA OF GALILEE.

Lesson Scripture, John 21, R. V.

"AFTER these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he manifested himself on this wise. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a-fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing. But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; howbeit the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No. 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. 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. 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. So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken. 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. 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. Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead."

"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. 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, Feed my sheep. 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. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee? Peter therefore seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. This saying therefore went forth among the brethren, that that disciple should not die; yet Jesus said not unto him, that he should not die; but, if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?"

"This is the disciple which beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his witness is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written."

QUESTIONS.

Where did Jesus next reveal himself to his disciples?
How many of them were together?
What did Peter say? What reply did the others make? What did they then do? What success did they have?
Who was on the land? Did they recognize him?
What inquiry did Jesus make? What did they answer?
What instruction did he then give them? What result attended it?
What did one of the disciples then say? What did Peter do?
How did the others reach the land? How far off were they?
On reaching land what did they see?
What did Jesus ask them to do?
What was the extent of their catch? What remarkable fact is stated?
What invitation did Jesus now extend to them? What was each one afraid to do? Why?
How did Jesus minister unto them?
How many times had Jesus now appeared to his disciples?
After they had eaten, what did Jesus say to Peter? What was the reply? What instruction did he then give him?
How were the question and reply repeated? What was the instruction?
What did Jesus ask the third time? How did this affect Peter? What did he say? What instruction was again given?
How did Jesus then contrast Peter's past and future experiences?
What was he foretelling? What command did he then give?
Who then attracted Peter's attention?
What inquiry did he address to Jesus?
What reply did Jesus make?
What report was based upon this statement? Was this what Jesus said? What did he say?
Who was this disciple? What is stated of his testimony?
Are these all the acts of Jesus? How extensive would be the full record of his doings?
What is the closing word?

NOTES.

1. "THEY remembered that at the commencement of his ministry a similar scene had been enacted to that which had just taken place. Jesus had then bade them launch out into the deep, and let down their nets for a draught, and the net had broken because of the amount of fishes taken. Then he bade them leave their nets and follow him, and he would make them fishers of men. This last miracle that Jesus had just wrought was for the purpose of making the former miracle more impressive; that the disciples might perceive that, notwithstanding they were to be deprived of the personal companionship of their Master, and 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 efforts—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."—Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, pp. 228, 229.

2. "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 seaside, singled out Peter, saying, 'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?' referring to his brethren. . . . 'Three times had Peter openly denied his Lord, and three times did Jesus draw from him the assurance of his love and loyalty, by pressing home that pointed question, like a barbed arrow, to his wounded heart. Jesus, before the assembled disciples, brought out the depth of Peter's penitence, and showed how thoroughly humble was the once boasting disciple. He was now intrusted with the important commission of caring for the flock of Christ. Tho every other qualification might be unexceptionable, yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful shepherd over the Christian flock.'—Id., pp. 229-231.

3. "JESUS here explicitly stated to Peter the fact and manner of his death; he even referred to the stretching forth of his hands upon the cross; and after he had thus spoken, he repeated his former injunction, 'Follow me.' The disciple was not disconcerted by the revelation of his Master. He felt willing to suffer any death for his Lord. Peter saw that John was following, and a desire came over him to know his future, and he 'saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.' Peter should have considered that his Lord would reveal to him all that it was best for him to know, without inquiry on his part. It is the duty of every one to follow Christ, without undue anxiety as to the duty assigned to others. In saying of John, 'If I will that he tarry till I come,' Jesus gave no assurance that this disciple should live until the second coming of Christ; he merely asserted his own supreme power; and that even if he should will this to be so, it would in no way affect the work of Peter. The future of both John and Peter was in the hands of the Lord, and obedience in following him was the duty required of each."—Id., pp. 232, 233.

Suggestions for Further Study.

In the fishing incident what lesson may we learn about Jesus' relation to us in our daily duties?
To how many who love Jesus does he address the command, Feed my lambs; feed my sheep?
According to verse 22, who am I to watch?
What help have you received personally from the study of the lessons on the Gospel by John?

"Angels of God." (Spanish.) A collection of five Bible readings on the following subjects: 1. The Angels of God. 2. Satan and His Work. 3. Christ the Resurrection and the Life. 4. The Second Chapter of Daniel. 5. Signs of the Coming of Christ. Two illustrations; paper; price, 6 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

LESSON I.—SABBATH, JULY 3, 1897.

DEPARTURE AND PROMISES.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 1:1-26, R. V.

"THE former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Ghost unto the apostles whom he had chosen; to whom he also showed himself after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God; and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me; for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

"They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority. But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he went; behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, which was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven."

"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey off. And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. These all with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."

"And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty). Brethren, it was needed that the Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the brethren at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be made desolate And let no man dwell therein; and His office let another take. Of the men therefore which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection. And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen, to take the place in this ministry and apostleship; from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place. And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."

QUESTIONS.

To whom was this book addressed? What indicates that this was not the first portion of Scripture addressed to him?
What is the "former treatise?" Luke 1:1-4. Then who is the writer of the book of Acts? What was the former treatise concerning?
To what point does it bring the narrative? What did Jesus give to his chosen apostles before he was taken up? Through what power did he give these commandments?
How long was he with his disciples after his sufferings? What did he do during this time?
When Jesus was last assembled with his disciples, what did he command them? For what should they wait?
What was this promise?
What question did the disciples ask Jesus at this time?
What was his reply?
What did Jesus say the disciples should receive? How were they to receive this power?
Having received the power, what should they be? Where were they to bear witness?
When he had spoken these things, what took place? What hid him from their sight?
As the disciples were still gazing up into the space where they had last seen Jesus, what happened?
What did these men say?
Having heard this promise, what did the disciples do?
With what feelings did they return? Luke 24:51, 52.
To what place did they go when they returned to Jerusalem? Who lodged there?
How did they occupy their time? With verse 14 compare Luke 24:53.
How many disciples were there in all? What took place on one of the days that they were together?
Give in order the points of Peter's speech.
To what psalm did he refer?
What did he say must be done?
How did they proceed to choose an apostle?
Who was chosen?

Additional Questions and Suggestions.

Were the disciples wrong in thinking that the kingdom was to be restored to Israel? See Eze. 21:25-27; Micah 4:8. When will it be restored? Matt. 25:31-34.
Study the matter of witnessing. To what are all Christ's followers to witness? By what power only can they witness? What kind of witness is Jesus? To what did he come into the world to witness? What is always required of a witness? John 3:11.
"This same Jesus." What other scriptures can you cite that show the same thing? Jesus ascended in a cloud; the angels said he should come in like manner as he ascended; how then will he come? Is there any direct statement to this effect?
Are we also to be witnesses with respect to Christ's resurrection? May we be as sure of the resurrection of Jesus as the first disciples were? Can we have as good evidence of it as they had? and can we testify of it as positively as they did? Is it necessary to have been with Jesus during his earthly ministry in order to be a witness of his resurrection? How about Paul?
What "exceeding great and precious promises" are recorded or referred to in this chapter?