The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 498

HOMILETICS. Vore. 1-8.-The fishing in 0alil~ This chapter is e.n e.ppendix to the Gospel written by the Apostle John, I. TnE B0ENE 01!' OUR Loan's NEXT APPEARAN0E TO THE DIBC!l'LEB. "After theRe things Jesus showed himseU again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberiae." 1. Ie was not at Je1"1111alem, which was now forsaken and, in a sense, aband071ed to its own rklusion.~. 2. It was at the scene of owr Lord's opening ministry. (1) Galilee wa.s the place to which he had ordered the disciples to repair, with a promise that he would meet them. (2) It w11.11 the place from which he had drawn all his disciples ee.ve Judas Iscariot. (3) It was the scene of his greatest popularity and acctptance. II. THE DIB0IPLES TO WHOM OUR LORD APPEARED. "There were to"ether Simon Peter, and Thomae called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, aid the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples." There were, therefore, but five of the eleven apostles and two disciples. III. TimIB OCOUPATION. "Simon Peter eaith unto them, I go a-fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee." They resumed their old mode of life as fishermen, awaiting the sign that should fix their future course. 1. This step was necessary for their daily subsistence. 2. The apostles give us an example of diligenr,e in their calling. They do not care to eat the bread of idleness. 3. The scenes arownd the Galiltean sea would vividly remind them of many a miracle and many a discourse of their blessed Lord. Quiet recollection is part of our education for duty. IV. THE LORD'S HELP IN THE PROSECUTION 01!' THEIR 0ALLING. 1. The duiciples passed a fruitless night upon the waters. "That night they caught nothing." 2. The appearan<:e of Juus to them. "But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." (1) They were, perhaps, so preoccupied that they did not recognize him. (2) Jesus may be near to his people, in their extremity, though they may not know it. 3. His directions to the wearied and dispirited fishermen. " Cast the net on the right side of the ship, a.nd ye shall find." (1) 'l'he want of former success must not discourage from fresh efforts. (2) The tint duty of disciples is to obey the Divine command. (3) Two factors are needful to success-the faithful work of the disciples, and the blessing of the Lord upon it. (4) The success of their fresh effort. "They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes." What a proof of our Lord's omniscience and power! V. THE GLAD RECOGNITION 01!' OUR LORD THROUGH THE MIRACLE. 1. John is the first to know him. "It is the Lord I" His penetrative, contemplative insight is quick to make the discovery. 2. Peter's eagerness to reach his Lord. "Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt hie fisher's coat unto him (for he was naked), and did cast himself into the sea." What an instance of the characteristic impetuosity and affection of Peter I Vera. 9-14.-The repast on the sea-shore. I. THE LORD MAKES PROVISION FOR THJt IMMEDIATELY PRESSING WANT OF THE DISCIPLES. 1. They must have been hungry and exhausted with the long and fruitless efforts of the night. Mark our Lord's considera- tion for their bodily comfort I "Thou she.It eat the labour of thy hands." "Come and dine." 2. Mark the awe of the disciples. "None of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord." There was something mysterious in the appearance and manner of the Lord that kept them in awe. II. THE OBJECT OF THIS REPAST, 1. It was partly to make the disciples feel their continued dependence upon the Lord. 2. It was p11.rtly to afford an o-pportunity for his signifir.antly important dealing with the .Apostle .Peter. Vere. 15-17.-The restoration of Peter. Though the Lord had already appeared to hie disciple (Luke xxiv. 34; 1 Cor. xv. 5), he had not yet formally restored him to the place he had forfeited by his three denials. I. THE eOLEMN QUESTION OF OUR LoRD TO PETER. "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" 1. The question is thrice repeated, that it may elicit a threefold confession answerable to the threefold denial of our Lord. 2. The question in JOHN.-II. 2L  Fil4 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. JOHN. [oe, :im. 1-21>,