Evening star., 1927-05-07
Sunday School Lesson

caught nothing. The work of that
night was failure, just as ours will
always be when we try to do some.
thing that may under other cireum.
stances and conditions be all right,
but is all wrong If our Lord has COM
manded us to do something different.
Early in the morning Jesus stood
upon the shore, although the dis
ciples knew not that it was He, which
suggests that the risen Lord was
changed in His appearance by the
resurrection. Evidently His person
ality, friendliness and power remained
the same, for He guided them in their
work of fishing that morning, just as
He had done before He called them to
follow Him and learn the art of TAX
ing men alive. The unknown Master
guided them in manner to make
them know that He was doing it. His
presence and power will turn any
failure into a complete success. The
obedient disciples secured success
through obedience to His commands,
just as we can do today If we will do
His will and work. John was the first
to recognize Jesus through the sue.
cess His leadership brought them.
Peter outdistanced John, for imme-
diately he put on his coat and plunged
into the sea, swimming to the shore
in his anxiety to look into the face of
the risen Christ. He saw Him and
then turned at the Lords command
to help pull in the great catch that
was numbered, being "a hundred and
fifty and three" Doubtless the dis
ciples learned from that event that
during their coming life of service
that was before them they would find
witt
breakfast that they ate with Him that
morning taught them that His fellow
ship had not been changed by His
resurrection. Evidently there was a
change in His appearance, or they
would not have thought of asking
Him, "Who art thou?" They saw in
His giving them credit for the catch,
which was due to His work, that He
was the same in thinking of how He
could encourage them. and they knew
that no higher privilege could be
given them than to eat with their
risen Master as an evidence Of en-
joying His abiding fellowship. The
breakfast was prophetic of the hour
when they should meet with their
Savior in the hour of a completed
service and triumphant fellowship.
Peter Restored to Service.
After Christ had acted as host to
them upon the seashore, Peter was
publicly restored to the Masters
service after he met a threefold test
that proved conclusively that, even if
Peter had denied the Lord Jesus, he
spiritual fellowship with Christ is
love that is demonstrated in service.
Before He restored Peter the eyes
that looked upon him with sympa-
thetic sorrow after the Apostle had
denied his Master, searched his soul
to learn whether he loved His Lord.
Before He publicly restored Peter to
his old place. Christ did not test him
about his theological views, programs,
methods Of administration and organ
ization-all Of which are Of vital i'm
portance--but He insisted upon know
ing that his heart was right before He
gave him the hand of restoration and
fellowship in service.
Three times he had denied and
three times Jesus asked, Lowest thou
Me?" In the first two questions the
Master used "Agapan," word for
exalted love, calm, discriminating and
reasoning. Peter in his reply uses a
different word, "philain," signifying a
love that is warm, emotional, stronger
but less reasoning. Jesus used the |
same word, that Peter used, in His |
third question when His probe reached |
Peters heart and Jesus knew that |
Peter loved Him above everything
else in the world. From that hour |
Peter became the rockman upon I
whom Jesus could depend in the
struggle, trials, and martyrdom that |
awaited his loyalty to Christ the |
Risen Lord.
In publically restoring Peter to His +
I'D f,~nt
portant work of shepherding the t
lambs of the flock. The largest, |
quickest and best results are OBJ /
tained by work among the children of /
the Bible School and Church. Eighty
Eve Der cent Of the additions to our