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SECTION LXXXVI.

CHRIST AT THE LAKE OF TIBERIAS.

JOHN xxi. I-25.

FTER these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias."

St. John seems to have originally concluded his Gospel with the 20th chapter, saying, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name."

But after this close, for a reason which the narrative itself suggests, he again takes up the pen to give us one of those other "signs" which he had before omitted. And in doing this he transports us once more to the familiar shores of the Lake Tiberias, in that Galilee which had been so blessed in the early days of the Lord's ministry.

We have already seen* that Christ had appointed the disciples to meet Him in Galilee. It seems however to have been understood that this was not to be immediately-not, in short, till after the termination of the Feast, which lasted seven days. Probably they returned to Galilee immediately after the second" first day of the week," when the interview with Thomas took place. They had, it is

* Matth. xxviii. 10.

likely, been there some days when the meeting which St. John records took place.

"Then 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,'"-his old occupation. "They say unto him, 'We also go with thee.' They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing."

"But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore ;* but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." The distance and the dim light might account for this. "Then Jesus saith unto them, 'Children, have ye any meat?"-any fish, which they were probably trying to catch for pro

*

On

"Whilst the lake is almost completely surrounded by mountains, those mountains never come down into the water, but always have a beach of greater or less extent along the water edge. the same beach,' whether of the delicate texture of sand and shells which lines the northern shores, or the rougher shingle that distinguishes the rest, the scene took place described in the last chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. There was the little crew in their boat on the waters of the lake. The early dawn had broken, revealing as it does, every cleft and broken cliff in distinct proportions all down the rocky sides of its enclosing hills. 'On the beach' stood the solitary figure; and through the stillness of the morning air, not yet disturbed by the waking hum of the surrounding villages, came the gentle voice calling, after the manner of the East, -' children,' and bidding them cast their wide nets into the lake once more. Then came the sudden rush of fish into the net, so that they were not able to draw it,' and the recognition of the Lord. Peter, resuming the dress, which, like eastern boatmen, he had thrown off whilst struggling with the net, leaped into the lake, and dashed through the shallow water to the shore, whilst his companions in the lesser boat, in which alone they could approach the beach, dragged the net, and Peter, as he went up' out of the water, took it from their hands and spread it on the level shore.”—Sinai and Palestine, pp. 369-171.

vision. "They answered Him 'No.' And He said unto them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.' They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, 'It is the Lord.'" The recurrence of the very same miracle by which He had taught them at the very beginning of their ministry,* how entirely the success of that ministry would depend on the power of God-how long they might toil and take nothing and then, when least expected, with how abundant success the very same efforts might be crowned the remembrance of that early lesson convinced John that He was present once more, who had then promised to make them fishers of men.

"Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him (for he was naked), and did cast himself into the sea"-ardent and affectionate as ever. "And the other disciples came in a little ship (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits),† dragging the net with fishes."

"As soon then as they were, come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread"-preparations made for a meal. "Jesus saith unto them, 'Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.' Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three; and for all there was so many, yet was not

* Luke v. 4-10.

+ About one hundred yards. The lake was about five miles broad. -ALFORD.

the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, 'Come and dine.' And none of the disciples durst ask Him, 'Who art Thou?' knowing that it was the Lord." Respect and a certain awe which, after His resurrection, the disciples seem to have felt in the presence of their Lord, restrained them from appearing to recognise Him till He should address them in His own character.

"Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise," recalling to their minds no doubt those distributions to the multitude which had taken place in earlier times. He probably sat down and partook of the meal with them, since St. Peter says that they "did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead."*

"This is now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after that He was risen from the dead."

6

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?" "thy brethren? Peter had once tacitly professed that his love was greater than that of others, when he said, “Though all shall be offended, yet will not I.” The Lord's question bids him say whether he yet felt that confidence, after all that had passed. "He saith unto Him, 'Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee." " He will not dare to say that he loved Him more than the rest, but this he would say, that he did love Him. "He saith unto him, 'Feed My lambs,'"-give Me this proof of thy love, better than professions, tend and watch

• Acts x. 41.

over the young and ignorant who shall believe on Me.

After a pause probably, "He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?' He saith unto Him, 'Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee.' He saith unto him, 'Feed My sheep," "—supply the wants of My followers of maturer age.

"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?' Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, 'Lovest thou Me?"" He thought, no doubt, of his repeated denials, and feared lest the Lord remembered them too, and still doubted his sincerity. But he did not, as before, burst forth into vehement asseverations of fidelity, but humbly appealed to the Lord as the searcher of hearts, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee. Jesus saith unto him, 'Feed My sheep,'"-My flock, the Church collectively.

His trial was over, the Lord admitted that He was satisfied. He did know that he truly loved Him. And now He tells him of the sharp test to which this love would be put. Peter had once insisted that that if he should die with the Lord, he would not shrink from owning Him. He had entreated to be allowed to follow Him at that time, and at all risks, and had received for answer, "Whither I go thou canst not follow Me now, but thou shalt follow Me afterwards." Jesus now tells him how this should be. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old,