The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-06-13

resurrection. This was presumably
three or four weeks after the Master:
resurrection from the dead.
During all those thirty days the men
tai attitude of all the Apostles and the
other disciples can he better imagined
than described. They were perplexed
they had had evidences of the Masters
resurrection; they had had the Scrip
lures called to their attention which
proved that this was necessary ani
that God had previously so arranged
They had hoped for further confer
ences with Jesus and that He would
tell them definitely what to do.
Instead. left to themselves, they We're
thoroughly disheartened. They had left
all to follow Him. to tell the people
that He was the long promised Mes
siah, and that He would soon set ur
His Kingdom, which would bring bless
ings to Israel, and, through Israel, tc
all the families of the earth. in harmo
ny with the Abrahamic Covenant. Now
apparently all these hopes were dashed
They Toiled All Night.
Their first night was a discouragfng
one-they caught nothing. In the
morning they beheld stranger on the
shore. The stranger suggested cast
ing the net on the other side Of the
boat. And although the suggestion
seemed foolish, having been so unsuc-
cessful, yet they did so, and immedi-
ately the net was filed with fishes!
It did not require long for them to
learn the lesson. They knew instinc-
lively that the unknown stranger was
their Master.
All interest had just centered in the
fishing business, but now boats. fish
and nets all lost their value in the esti-
nation Of these fishermen! Here was
their risen Lord, for whose third ap-
pearance they had been waiting now
nearly three weeks! Fearing that the
Master would disappear before he
could get to Him. st. Peter plunged
into the sea and swan ashore. To his
surprise the stranger already had fish.
and had them cooked, and all were in
vited to join in the breakfast on the
shore Of Galilee.
The stranger had not the clothing by
which they had known their Lord, nei-
Their did He have the marks of the
nails in His hands and feet, that they
might thus identify Him. This was
q different manifestation. They knew
Him as did those with whom He walk
ed to Emmaus who recognized Him
in the blessing of the bread. and not
by His features or clothing or wounds.
They recognized that none other than
He could perform such a miracle.
Lowest Thou Me More?"
The stranger addressed st. Peter par
ticularly, saying, Lowest thou Me
more than these"-these boats and
nets? ST. Peter answered, Lord.
Thou knowest that l affectionately
love Thee" He used word express
ing fondness of love. Jesus replied.
"Feed my lambs"
Then came the question second
time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lowest thou
Me-" A great pressure was felt by
st. Peter Why did the Master so par
ticularly question his love? st. Peter
answered, Lord. Thou knowest that
affectionately love Thee" Jesus this
time replied. 'Tend My Sheep" For
the third time Jesus said to Peter. "Si-
mon, son Of Jonas, d0st thou affection
ately love Me?" Here Jesus used the
same word that st. Peter had used.
as though He Questioned the affection
and depth Of st. Peters love. All! the
third time must have sent the memory
Of Peter back to the scene in Pilates
Judgment Hall, when he denied his
Master the third time. And now Jesus
for the third time had asked him re.
specting his love, and whether it was
really a love of affection! st. Peters
choking reply was, "Lord, Thou know.
est all things! Thou knowest that
affectionately love Thee" The Lord b
reply was. Feed My sheep"
Our Mistaken Methods.
Have not Christians in general over
looked this important lesson, namely
that the chief work Of the ministers
and under-shepherds of the Lords
flock during this Age is to "teed the
nock?" IL 1t not true that compare.
lively little feeding IL being done? On
the contrary, the thought usually re-
csived by new converts IL, Now you
arc saved, 60. evangelize, and bring
others to st-especially bring
money, for with plenty Of Il We can
convert the world.
The advice TO St Peter should Be
Aee6ed. The "1eM>s' should b III
t1til thsy become "sAesD." Ths saesp
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