Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-11-11
PETER RESTORED.
DR.. JOHN HALLS NOTES ON THE
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

Z,
The pupils are to be reminded of the facts
going before this lesson on two lines: Q)
Christ's resurrection and appearance twice to
the whole company of the disciples ". XIV.
1t may be said: How did they fail to recog-
nize him at once? The answer is twofold. In
the resurrection "we shall be changed"
though the same individuals. Jesus was the
type of our resurrection. And secondly,
Jesus was able to make himself known or to
remain unknown, as to the disciples on the
way to EmmauS, as he pleased. For his own
reasons he sometimes left them to find him
out by what he said and did. In a sense it is
so still with disciples. Jesus 3 providing for,
or teaching, or even chastening them, and
they do not at first recognize him
C9 The previous career and character of
Peter need to be recalled. Probably the
oldest of the little company, he was the most
prompt and forward. He was notably man
of impulses, not waiting to raise and settle
questions of principle, but acting on the
"spur of the moment" This led him, as it
will lead any one, into mistakes. He had
professed undying attachment to Christ
Matt. XVI, So, and then denied him thrice.
That very morning he was as truly penitent
as he had been inexcusably self-confident,
and no doubt he had many time recalled
his sin and shame, and desired an opportunity
to confess to Christ and get his forgiveness.
But he was not alone with him. How the
message, "tell my disciples and Peter, :" must
have melted his heartl These facts we must
remember if we would secure a connected
view of the truth set out in our present
lesson. A group of disciples had been fishing
all night on the lake in vain. Doubtful of
what was to come and needing to secure
bread Peter had gone back to his calling.
VA. Morning came; they were nearing
the shore. A man stood there, but the dis
ciples did not recognize him. This was doubt
less part of his plan. (See Luke xiv, 16.)
Yet his language must have reused their
attention as he says, Children etc. Are
there any Christians hard pressed for means
to live? How many do suffer thus Jesus is
not unmindful of them. Many would make
better way if they listened for his voice and
cast the net at his bidding. "No;" they have
caught nothing.
" g. 1t is said that fish can be seen in
numbers in the lake at times. His words
then, "Cast the net, etc., would not seem so
strange to them They did so, and their net
was so filed with fish as to make it too
heavy to be lifted into the boat: it was drawn
ashore ". IL
Specially devoted to Jesus and quick with
the instinct of affection, John ". q whispers
to Peter-one can fancy with mingled awe
and joy-"It is the Lord" Ali here is an
opportunity to show that he is no longer
recreant, that the Lord is dear to him beyond
expression. When he hears this he snatches
his fishers coat (he was probably in partial
clothing, as men prepared for such work.,
and filings himself into the water. 1t was an
impulse again, but on the good side-far bet
ter than the blow with the sword at the mans
ear John xviii, 10). He meant to welcome
Jesus, to show his joy and love.
VS.. Meantime their little boat-the one
they were all in, being only about 100
yards from land IA cubit is roughly about
eighteen inches), so that the voice and direc-
tions from the shore could be well heard
had neared the land GA little ship" is mis-
leading; it is "the little ship.'0 They who
were in the boat, failing to get the net on
deck, dragged it to land. Again the care of
Jesus miraculous, acknowledgements
for them.
V. O. There is a fire of Goals and aish on
it" being prepared for eating, and bread He
who fed the 5000 is the same in power and
resources for the little company.
V. TO- The Master tells them to bring of
the fish which they had caught. He and
they are to rejoice together through all their
future over the souls gathered into the Cos
pei net, some of them directly by him, some
through their agency under his direction
V. II. Simon Peter on the land already
obeys, went up and drew the net to land"
The contents are described, and it is noted
that rich as was the take" the net bore the
strain and was not broken. The number is
mentioned, probably to explain the wonder
of the net not breaking.
V. 12. The sympathy of Jesus with the dis
ciples and his treatment of them as brethren
are now seen He SAYS, "Come and break
your fast" lRevision). They all had the firm
conviction that it was their Master He
spake with authority, mingled no doubt with
gentleness; yet none had courage to call for
a direct avowal Then he
(V. 49, comes and gives them-helps them
to-bread-they had none of this-and fish
likewise. OF his identity they had no doubt.
This is the evangelist says
(V IA, "the third time that Jesus showed
himself to his disciples" appearances to
individuals are omitted in the COUNT See
tho other two cases-ons where Thomas was
absent, the other eight days after, when he
was present CAST lesson. Up till now Jesus
has treated them all alike in the interview.
Now he deals with Peter just as we saw him
deal with Thomas. He forgets nothing that
is to be remembered for his peoples good.
He perfectly adapts the lessons to the nature
of the learner. So after they had broken
their fast, Jesus
(V. 15 puts a question to Peter, which
must have brought up many sad thought
But it is often for our good to have our past
errors and sins recalled. "Simon, son Of
Jonas, lowest thou me more than these" He
had conveyed as much as this when he said
Though all men forsake thee, yet will not
l." Then he was self-contident, impulsiva
and self H-conscious. Now he is not so. he Is
penitent He remembers his folly and does
not repeat it. He can truly say that he does
love his Master, but he makes no comparison
between himself and them. Thou knowest
that love thee" Then the Master gives the
command. Feed my lambs" "ThOu didst
wander from the fold; thou hast been brought
back Remember the lesson and labor for
the strayed and wandering" Read his epis-
ties and YOU will see that he did not forget
this direction
V. 16. Again the Master puts the question,
but dropping any references to the objection
able element of comparison; again be gets an
affirmative reply, but Peter using again ~
different word for "love" from Christ's. The
direction is now given, Feed my sheep"
How he remembered this you may see by
studying l Peter V, 2, 4. This figure Peter
could well understand. He remembered the
discourse of John x, in which Jesus said,
''the good shepherd giveth his life for the
sheep" Perhaps our Lord spoke to the heart
of Peter thus: "You are to be an under
shepherd; you may after all have it laid on
you TO be like me and lay down your life
That may come to you in stern necessity
which in a moment of impulse you volun-
tered This view is rather favored by VS..
Is, 10, and falls in with the idea that our
Lord was not giving any special power to
Peter as to the future, but teaching him in
view Of the guilty past.
V. II. That the sin of Peter in denying
shaped the form of this dealing with him IS
clear from this, "Peter was grleved
third time" and he made his reply emphatic
and full Of feeling, Lord, thou knowest all
things the way our Lord was teaching him
now showed that; thou knoweSt that love
thee" The commission is repeated, Feed
Dc cha, ri IN flRms