The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-01-26

COMMUNICATIVE H IA. 10.
'Lovest thou me?" This is the
question our Lord asked Peter. 1t
comes to us today. Do we love our
Lord? 1t is simple question, but
also a very searching one. I'VE
may know much, and do much, and
profess much, and talk much, and
work much, and give much, and go
through much, and make much
show in our religion, and yet be
dead before God from want of love
There is no life where there
is no love knowledge, ortho-
doxy, correct views respect
able moral life-all these do not
make up a true Christian. There
must be some personal feeling to-
ward Christ" q. C. Ryle).
The instructive story, the center
of which is Peters declaration OF
love for Christ, presents a picture
of life of true devotion and service
to the Lord we love.
1. Fishing at Christ's Command
". ~.
Peter had led the disciples in a
fruitless fishing expedition wv. 2,
81. There may have been some I'M
believing self-will in his 81 go a.
fishing" 1t may also have been the
need of food on the part of the
disciples who had not yet been sent
forth to preach. But in any case
they caught nothing until they went
to work at the Lords direction.
Useless and pathetic is the effort
of the Church to win men to Christ
except as He directs and blesses the
work. He knows when, where, and
how we ought to fish for men. Let
us seek His guidance rather than
suffer the disappointment which
goes with man-directed campaigns
and drives" AS a matter of fact,
we need more divine directing and
less human driving.
II. Fellowship With the Lord wv.
12-14.
There are some folk who seem to
think that following Christ is a dole
full matter, devoid of every pleasant
contact. Jesus never taught any
such thing. He attended weddings
and dinners even in the homes of
those despised by men. Remember
that He always did it for their spir-
itual good, not merely for His own
enjoyment; and that He always
brought the gathering up to His own
spiritual level, rather than STOPPING
to any worldly or wicked standards.
Here we find Him with a glowing
fire upon which fish is broiling and
with bread ready for the hungry
fishermen. 1t is just like Him thus
to meet in most delightful and salts
flying fellowship those who serve
Him. Draw up to the fire, Christian
friends who are standing afar off.
You may be so tirnid that, like the
disciples, you will not dare to call
Him by name ". 12), but if you
will come you will find that the
precious fellowship will soon warm
your heart.
III. Feeding His Flock wv. 15-1O.
Many (perhaps most) after-dinner
speeches and conversations yield lit
tie profit. Here is an occasion when
such was not the case. One Won
ders whether we would not be wise
to take the suggestion and turn our
thoughts and those of our dinner
guests to spiritual things. Surely it
should be SO among Christian
friends and in Christian home.
Three times Peter is asked to de-
clare his love for Christ. Such a
public confession was quite in place,
before the man who had thrice de-
MED his Lord is restored to a place
of leadership. The words "more
than these" ". 15), indicate that
Jesus was asking of him high
measure of devotion. 1t is no more
than He has a right to expect of us.
The expression of love to Christ
means practically nothing except as
it manifests itself in service. We,
like Peter, are to be diligent about
feeding His flock, whether they be
the young and inexperienced lambs,
or the mature sheep of the fold.
Observe that we are to catch the
fish (the unconverted) and feed the
flock (the redeemed). Sometimes
it seems that we are trying to catch
the Christians to forward some
scheme of advancement, and failing
to win the unconverted, because we
are feeding them spiritual food that
belongs to the flock of God.
Nv. Following Christ to the End
wv. 10, 19).
The Christian (and surely the
Christian worker) is to glorify God
even by his death ". 19). What
significant reply John Wesley made
when his followers were criticized:
"At any rate, our people die we'll"
Peter was to 60 on to the end, know
ing that he faced martyrdem for
Christ.
But we are not only called to die
like Christians, we are to live for
Him. When Jesus chad spoken this,
he saith unto him, Follow me" ".
19). Just as we said that the Church
needs more divine directing and less
human driving, SO we say that the
crying need of the Church now is
not more leaders, but a greater host
of faithful followers of Jesus. Will