y see Me." The customs of
the Passover Feast forbade their instant compliance with this command,
and the Master sanctioned their delay by appearing to them twice whilst
they yet lingered in the metropolis. But as soon as it was possible
they hastened back to the familiar scenes of their early life and of
the Master's ministry.

We cannot fathom all the reasons that led our Lord to make such special
arrangements for meeting with them in Galilee; but it was natural that
He should wish to associate His risen life with scenes in which He had
spent so large a part of His earthly ministry; and there the greatest
proportion of His followers was gathered, and He would have the
quietest and securest opportunity of meeting with the five hundred
brethren at once. The disciples little thought that this was a
farewell visit to their homes, and that within a few weeks they must
return to Jerusalem, to stay there for a time, and then to wander forth
to all lands, from the ancient Indus on the east to the far-famed
shores of Tarshish on the west.

I. It was in the early part of May when they returned to Galilee. They
were in evident bewilderment as to their next step. What should they
do? Should they continue to lead the artificial life which they had
taken up during the Master's ministry? That seemed impossible and
needless. Should they do nothing but wait? That appeared unwise when
life was yet strong in them, and their means of livelihood were scant.
It was of course possible to go back to fishing-smacks and
fishing-tackle; but should they? And they hesitated.

But one evening came; the fragrance of thyme and rosemary and of a
hundred flowers filled the air; the lake lay dimpled in the light of
the setting sun; the purple hills that stood sentinel around seemed by
their very peacefulness to promise that no storm should imperil the
lives of those that ventured on the blue depths. There stood the
boats, yonder lay the nets, in those waters were the finny tribes; the
old instinct of the fisherman arose in their hearts, and found
expression on the lips of the one from whom we should have expected it.
"_Peter_ said unto them, I go a-fishing." I see no harm in it. The
Master never forbade it. He cannot mean us to loiter our time away.
We cannot be preachers without Him. I shall go back to the life from
which He called me three years ago, and if it pleases Him to come
again, He can find us now, as He found us once, amon