shing, the charm of the old life might have been too strong for
them. But, like many other men, their failure in accomplishing their own
purpose prepared them to discern and to fulfil the Divine purpose, and
from catching fish worth so much a pound they became the most
influential factors in this world's history. For the Lord had need of
them, and again called them to labour for Him, showing them how easily
He could maintain them in life and how full their nets would be when
cast under His direction.

When the Lord made Himself known by His miraculous action while yet the
disciples were too far off to see His features, Peter on the moment
forgot the fish he had toiled for all night, and though master of the
vessel left the net to sink or go to pieces for all he cared, and sprang
into the water to greet his Lord. Jesus Himself was the first to see the
significance of the act. This vehemence of welcome was most grateful to
Him. It witnessed to an affection which was at this crisis the most
valuable element in the world. And that it was shown not by solemn
protestations made in public or as part of a religious service, but in
so apparently secular and trivial an incident, makes it all the more
valuable. Jesus hailed with the deepest satisfaction Peter's impetuous
abandonment of his fishing gear and impatient springing to greet Him,
because as plainly as possible it showed that after all Christ was
incomparably more to him than the old life. And therefore when the first
excitement had cooled down Jesus gives Peter an opportunity of putting
this in words by asking him, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more
than these?" Am I to interpret this action of yours as really meaning
what it seems to mean--that I am more to you than boat, nets, old ways,
old associations? Your letting go the net at the critical moment, and so
risking the loss of all, seemed to say that you love Me more than your
sole means of gaining a livelihood. Well, is it so? Am I to draw this
conclusion? Am I to understand that with a mind made up you do love Me
more than these things? If so, the way is again clear for Me to commit
to your care what I love and prize upon earth--to say again, "Feed My
sheep."

Thus mildly does the Lord rebuke Peter by suggesting that in his recent
conduct there were appearances which must prevent these present
expressions of his love from being accepted as perfectly genuine and
trustworthy. Thus gracefully does He give Peter