The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-11-04
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught By q Study OF the Inter.
national Sunday school Lesson Appointed for
Nov. IA. st. John, 81 :f-I9.

After his resurrection, our Savior was seen
IL times. The lesson this week is an account
of his seventh appearance. He was seen first
by Mary Magdalene, next by several women,
next by st. Peter, next by two Disciples on the
way to Emmaus, next by 10 Apostles, next by
ii Apostles, and next by seven, as reported in
our lesson. Looking over the above we find
the lesson which we now study is an account
of Chrisfs third appearance to his Apostles in
body. (V. AZ First he was seen by 10 Apos-
ties, then by IL, and now by seven. The Sec
ond verse before the lesson contains list of the
names of five of the seven-Sts. Peter, Thomas,
Nathaniel, John. James the Greater We no.
tice the writer (St. John) was present. Matt,
% Is shows the IL left Jerusalem and went to
Galilee, though only seven met Christ this
time.
We remember that when the women visited
the sepulcher, finding it empty, the two Angels
whom they met said, go your way quickly
and tell his Disciples that he is risen from the
dead, and, behold, he goeth before you into
Galilee; there shall We see him. Matt, 81.
z; Mark, 1879 Just afterward the same
women met Christ and he said, "Tell my breth-
rem that they go into Galilee, and there shall
they see me-" (Mt., IS: 1O.) In st. Johns
Gospel go :10) we read, Then the Disciples
went away again into their own homes"-viz,
into Galilee. This seems tSbe in contradiction
to st. Luke, "a 40, reading, "Tarry We in the
power from on high" These words were spoken
to the 10 on the evening Of the resurrection
day, and refer to the scenes of the PentecoSt,
so days afterward. However we may account
for the Disciples not remaining in Jerusalem;
however we may explain their going to Galilee,
and that by the order of Christ, we know the
IL Apostles were all present at Jerusalem when
the pentecostal shower descended. They did
not leave Jerusalem to go forth with their COM
missions to preach the Gospel TO every crea-
ture until after the descent of she Holy Spirit
on the 120 and the conversion of the 1900.
In view of our Savior's directions to the
Apostles to go to Galilee and his promise to
meet them there, we are not surprised to find
them back home and on the Sea of Galilee.
We cannot give the interval between Christ's
meeting the IL and then the seven. He met
the IL at Jerusalem Sunday evening. March %,
A. ID. 20. The appearance of Jesus with the
seven was at the Sea of Galilee, probably in the
vicinity of Capernaum. The distance from
Jerusalem to Capernaum is about 80 miles.
Giving the Disciples time to go afoot, as di-
rected by Christ, back to Galilee, we may put
the interview of Jesus and the seven on We'd
nesday, March 30.
No aggressive work in Christ's Kingdom was
to be accomplished between the resurrection
and the ascension. 1t was a sort of vacation
period for the Apostles, and they could be
spared from Jerusalem providing they returned
to be present at the Ascension and the Pente-
cost. They must not take final leave Of the
city till "endued with power from on high"
lSt. Lu., "a :49) 1t was very natural that, be-
ing so near their old homes, the Apostles would
be pleased to revisit them. Jesus probably
consulted their preferences in making Galilee
the place where he would meet them. After
the Ascension and the scenes Of Pentecost, the
Apostles would have no opportunity for vaca-
tion, no chance to spend a few days with pa
rents and friends amid the scenes and pursuits
of home. Then being at the sea, used to the
boats and fond Of fishing 1t is no wonder the
Apostles would be pleased to spend little Of
vacation time in their old pursuit. So we find
Peter proposing to the rest that the company
take boat and pass q while in fishing, and all
heartily respond to the suggestion. Though
expert and diligent fishermen, they spent q
night without catching one fish.
Now we reach the seventh appearance Of
Christ after the resurrection, and it chances to
be to seven Apostles. They had been trying
all night to get fishes into their seine, but
without any success. They must have been
greatly discouraged. They saw q human figure
of on the shore, but could not recognize its
identity. There were reasons 1t was early
in the morning. (V. ~ The new translation
has when day was now breaking" 1t was
not yet clear daylight. Then the boat was
about 800 feet from shore. W.. 8. Each cubit
v
Their, it seems our Savior during the 40 days
after the resurrection did not always appear
just as before the resurrection. go: H. He
even at times controlled the vision Of those who
saw him, so that he appeared some different
(Lu., "a: 16.) And, although he had promised
to meet them in Galilee, his appearance Just
then was probably unexpected 10 some degree,
SO much so at any rate that they required a
moment for the equipoise of emotion and the
- L. la -
did not have any fears of the figure on shore,
as though it were specter. They thought the
form was that of mere paSser-by. Some have
intimated part explanation of the surprise
of the Apostles was due to his appearing to
them on the sea shore instead of mountain,
and these Interpreters quote Matt, 2S:l6. But
the appointments as stated in Mt, % z and 10
say nothing OF mountain. The promise tc
meet them on mountain alluded to in Matt,
% is, was it would seem. made in Jerusalem.
That it refers to an appearance different from
that OF Matt, %: z, 10 is plain, from the fact
that soon after the seventh appearance, viz, the
one to the seven on the sea shore, he Joined 500
Disciples on some mountain near Capernaum-
said appearance being the eighth after his res
direction.
A conversation sprung up between the shore
man and the seamen. Nothing is more natural
than to ask fishermen Of their success. So the
passer-by shouts out, in substance, Have you
caught any fshes2" Meat" is q general word
for food. We do not hold the shore man was
asking for something to eat. His question was
not selfish one, but rather proof of generous
interest in the toilers with the net. In the
East the word Children" is q familiar address,
like our words boys, neighbors, friends. Re-
ceiving a negative answer he cried out, "Cast
the net on the right side Of the ship and We
shall find" ". 81 At once the net was full.
This was singular. The night is the best time
to fish, and yet here In the morning is success
after night of unavailing effort. And what
difference could it make as to which side of
the boat the net was cast?
Christ is recognized. The great draft of
fishes, the Apostles reason, is miraculous. st.
John, probably recalling similar miracle of
Jesus wrought in January, A. ID. 81, Lu. 3 /
lO,l is convinced the figure seen and talking on
the shore is Christ, and SO he exclaims, cit is
the Lord" (V.7.) The large number caught
was SO extraordinary and their size so large
that the draft was counted and it was found
there were l53 fishes. ". H. Singular, too,
the net was not injured.
st. Peters impetuous nature Is apparent
again. At the first intimation Christ is at
hand he leaps into the sea to swim 10 him. He
cannot wait for the boat to be rowed ashore
He was not nude, but wore, while fishing, only
the garments which, fitting close to his body, did
not impede his action while adjusting the net.
But he would not appear even thus partially
attired in the presence of Christ. SO he seized
his coat, fastening it about his person firmly by
means of his girdle so that he could have more
free use of his limbs in the water. The six
Apostles soon reached the shore, hauling in the
net meanwhile.
Christ and the seven have meal of bread