The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-01-31

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S.-Nlatt. iv. 1922
The disciples with whom our Lord is here dealing
were fishermen and afterward his custom,
he uses familiar to teach them duty and i'm
press them with experimental truth. How intimate
their association with him had been do not know
At most it had been but brief. They may have been
OF the company who went up with them to the feast
They were engaged in their ordinary vocation
that of fishermen, and to be taught what their
calling henceforth would be and how they should full
fill it, Matthew and Mark tell who these disc
pies were-Peter and Andrew James and John, but
do not describe the miracle.
Jesus is standing on the shore of Gennesaret, and
crowd is gathered about him. and the fishermen are
busy washing their nets after night of tong and
taking nothing. 1t must therefore early morn
ing
The Master enters into of the boats and asks
Its owner to put out little way from the Shore
wishing to have convenient place for speaking to
the people. EXpositors remark the opportunity
afforded Peter for obedience ana service and how
when that opportunity is used it binds more closely
together the heart that serves and the that is
served, in mutual confidence and love; and how
gracious our Master is to poor equipments
and possessions to strengthen the bond that holds us
in loyalty to himself
He first teaches the throng the shore and after
wards aids the disappointed fishermen II their tasks
and suggests to them what their real work shall be-
To feed the hungering souls of is es great
sion; urgent that to its fuflment all else may
be deferred made subordinate.
He no longer requests before, but gives COM
mand: put out into the deep and let down your
nets" 1t is the beginning of a miracle. The di-
vine nature is to reveal itself and mis- rghtful au-
thority is asserted. Natural means are to be used
Foresight and skill not to be ignored They
must do as sensible men would always do. Fish are
not to be found at the Shore hence launch out" If
we to expect divine help let also expect to use
the best human wisdom
Peter, who seems to be the helmsman or the cap
tain OF this little crew. is reluctant for moment
Master, toiled all night and took nothing" 1t
hasn't dawned on him yet that miracle is about to
be wrought, yet his faith is assuming some form
for he says Master" The words of command have
impressed him and he takes the servants place "At
thy word" would seem to mean "relyng on thy
word" well obeying Here is the essence OF
acceptable service doing because the Master com
mands, even when our tastes judgments might die
tate otherwise Our Lord honors such obedience
and afterwards often makes the reason plain.
TO the minds of the fishermen the miraculous Gle
ment in it all becomes apparent. There is evident
excitement among them. The nets begin to break
They signal to their partners They bring their
boat hurriedly alongside Both boats are filled and
heavily loaded that they begin to sink and all are
amazed "at the draught of fishes which thew had
taken"
At this moment Peters mind turns from boats and
nets and fishes to adore his Master. Depart from
me. for ] am sinful man, . Lord" I'm a flash he
that ne is in the presence of one miehtier
than any mere man. Then inc impulse comes to
be separated from being of such authority and ma
icsty. His own weakness and sin stand out in such
glaring contrast. But he loves at the same time
that he stands in and falls clown at Jesus
knees at the moment when he calls him Lord Rev
ereucc and devotion are to be companions. The Di-
vine majesty tenderness both appeal to needy
souls.
10 this apostle and to the others. the miraculous
draught of fishes parable of fe's calling The
old self is consecrateG to new aims. Our helpless
ness finds resource in a mighty Helper. Our con-
scous sinfulness prepare for falling suppliant
before him who Separate from sinners"