The Desire of Ages
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 85: By the Sea Once More
This chapter is based on John 21:1-22
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Peter was so elated and so glad that in his
eagerness he cast himself into the water
and was soon standing by the side of his Master.
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Jesus had appointed to meet His disciples in Galilee; and
soon after the Passover week was ended, they bent their steps thither. Their
absence from Jerusalem during the feast would have been interpreted as
disaffection and heresy, therefore they remained till its close; but this over,
they gladly turned homeward to meet the Saviour as He had directed. {DA 809.1}
Seven of the disciples were in company. They were clad in
the humble garb of fishermen; they were poor in worldly goods, but rich in the
knowledge and practice of the truth, which in the sight of Heaven gave them the
highest rank as teachers. They had not been students in the schools of the
prophets, but for three years they had been taught by the greatest Educator the
world has ever known. Under His instruction they had become elevated,
intelligent, and refined, agents through whom men might be led to a knowledge
of the truth. {DA 809.2}
Much of the time of Christ's ministry had been passed near
the Sea of Galilee. As the disciples gathered in a place where they were not
likely to be disturbed, they found themselves surrounded by reminders of Jesus
and His mighty works. On this sea, when their hearts were filled with terror,
and the fierce storm was hurrying them to destruction, Jesus had walked upon
the billows to their rescue. Here the tempest had been hushed by His word.
Within sight was the beach where above ten thousand persons had been fed from a
few small loaves and fishes. Not far distant was Capernaum, the scene of so
many miracles. As the disciples [810] looked upon the scene, their
minds were full of the words and deeds of their Saviour. {DA 809.3}
The evening was pleasant, and Peter, who still had much of
his old love for boats and fishing, proposed that they should go out upon the
sea and cast their nets. In this plan all were ready to join; they were in need
of food and clothing, which the proceeds of a successful night's fishing would
supply. So they went out in their boat, but they caught nothing. All night they
toiled, without success. Through the weary hours they talked of their absent
Lord, and recalled the wonderful events they had witnessed in His ministry
beside the sea. They questioned as to their own future, and grew sad at the
prospect before them. {DA
810.1}
All the while a lone watcher upon the shore followed them
with His eye, while He Himself was unseen. At length the morning dawned. The
boat was but a little way from the shore, and the disciples saw a stranger
standing upon the beach, who accosted them with the question, "Children,
have ye any meat?" When they answered, "No," "He said unto
them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast
therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of
fishes." {DA 810.2}
John recognized the stranger, and exclaimed to Peter,
"It is the Lord." Peter was so elated and so glad that in his
eagerness he cast himself into the water and was soon standing by the side of
his Master. The other disciples came in their boat, dragging the net with
fishes. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals
there, and fish laid thereon, and bread." {DA 810.3}
They were too much amazed to question whence came the fire
and the food. "Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now
caught." Peter rushed for the net, which he had dropped, and helped his
brethren drag it to the shore. After the work was done, and the preparation
made, Jesus bade the disciples come and dine. He broke the food, and divided it
among them, and was known and acknowledged by all the seven. The miracle of
feeding the five thousand on the mountainside was now brought to their minds;
but a mysterious awe was upon them, and in silence they gazed upon the risen
Saviour. {DA 810.4}
Vividly they recalled the scene beside the sea when Jesus
had bidden them follow Him. They remembered how, at His command, they had
launched out into the deep, and had let down their net, and the catch had been
so abundant as to fill the net, even to breaking. Then Jesus had called them to
leave their fishing boats, and had promised to make them [811]
fishers of men. It was to bring this scene to their minds, and to deepen its
impression, that He had again performed the miracle. His act was a renewal of
the commission to the disciples. It showed them that the death of their Master
had not lessened their obligation to do the work He had assigned them. Though
they were to be deprived of His personal companionship, and of the means of
support by their former employment, the risen Saviour would still have a care
for them. While they were doing His work, He would provide for their needs. And
Jesus had a purpose in bidding them cast their net on the right side of the
ship. On that side He stood upon the shore. That was the side of faith. If they
labored in connection with Him,—His divine power combining with their
human effort,—they could not fail of success. {DA 810.5}
Another lesson Christ had to give, relating especially to
Peter. Peter's denial of his Lord had been in shameful contrast to his former
professions of loyalty. He had dishonored Christ, and had incurred the distrust
of his brethren. They thought he would not be allowed to take his former
position among them, and he himself felt that he had forfeited his trust.
Before being called to take up again his apostolic work, he must before them
all give evidence of his repentance. Without this, his sin, though repented of,
might have destroyed his influence as a minister of Christ. The Saviour gave
him opportunity to regain the confidence of his brethren, and, so far as
possible, to remove the reproach he had brought upon the gospel. {DA 811.1}
Here is given a lesson for all Christ's followers. The
gospel makes no compromise with evil. It cannot excuse sin. Secret sins are to
be confessed in secret to God; but, for open sin, open confession is required.
The reproach of the disciple's sin is cast upon Christ. It causes Satan to
triumph, and wavering souls to stumble. By giving proof of repentance, the
disciple, so far as lies in his power, is to remove this reproach. {DA 811.2}
While Christ and the disciples were eating together by the
seaside, the Saviour said to Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me
more than these?" referring to his brethren. Peter had once declared,
"Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be
offended." Matthew 26:33. But he now put a truer estimate upon himself.
"Yea, Lord," he said, "Thou knowest that I love Thee."
There is no vehement assurance that his love is greater than that of his
brethren. He does not express his own opinion of his devotion. To Him who can
read all the motives of the heart he appeals to judge as to his sincerity,—"Thou
knowest that I love Thee." And Jesus bids him, "Feed My lambs." [812]
{DA 811.3}
Again Jesus applied the test to Peter, repeating His former
words: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" This time He did not
ask Peter whether he loved Him better than did his brethren. The second
response was like the first, free from extravagant assurance: "Yea, Lord;
Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus said to him, "Feed My
sheep." Once more the Saviour put the trying question: "Simon, son of
Jonas, lovest thou Me?" Peter was grieved; he thought that Jesus doubted
his love. He knew that his Lord had cause to distrust him, and with an aching
heart he answered, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I
love Thee." Again Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep." {DA 812.1}
Three times Peter had openly denied his Lord, and three
times Jesus drew from him the assurance of his love and loyalty, pressing home
that pointed question, like a barbed arrow to his wounded heart. Before the
assembled disciples Jesus revealed the depth of Peter's repentance, and showed
how thoroughly humbled was the once boasting disciple. {DA 812.2}
Peter was naturally forward and impulsive, and Satan had
taken advantage of these characteristics to overthrow him. Just before the fall
of Peter, Jesus had said to him, "Satan hath desired to have you, that he
may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and
when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31, 32. That
time had now come, and the transformation in Peter was evident. The close,
testing questions of the Lord had not called out one forward, self-sufficient
reply; and because of his humiliation and repentance, Peter was better prepared
than ever before to act as shepherd to the flock. {DA 812.3}
The first work that Christ entrusted to Peter on restoring
him to the ministry was to feed the lambs. This was a work in which Peter had
little experience. It would require great care and tenderness, much patience
and perseverance. It called him to minister to those who were young in the
faith, to teach the ignorant, to open the Scriptures to them, and to educate
them for usefulness in Christ's service. Heretofore Peter had not been fitted
to do this, or even to understand its importance. But this was the work which
Jesus now called upon him to do. For this work his own experience of suffering
and repentance had prepared him. {DA 812.4}
Before his fall, Peter was always speaking unadvisedly, from
the impulse of the moment. He was always ready to correct others, and to
express his mind, before he had a clear comprehension of himself or of what he
had to say. But the converted Peter was very different. He retained his former
fervor, but the grace of Christ regulated his zeal. He was no longer impetuous,
self-confident, and self-exalted, but calm, [815]
self-possessed, and teachable. He could then feed the lambs as well as the
sheep of Christ's flock. {DA
812.5}
The Saviour's manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for
him and for his brethren. It taught them to meet the transgressor with
patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. Although Peter had denied his Lord, the
love which Jesus bore him never faltered. Just such love should the
undershepherd feel for the sheep and lambs committed to his care. Remembering
his own weakness and failure, Peter was to deal with his flock as tenderly as Christ
had dealt with him. {DA
815.1}
The question that Christ had put to Peter was significant.
He mentioned only one condition of discipleship and service. "Lovest thou
Me?" He said. This is the essential qualification. Though Peter might
possess every other, yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful
shepherd over the Lord's flock. Knowledge, benevolence, eloquence, gratitude,
and zeal are all aids in the good work; but without the love of Jesus in the
heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure. {DA 815.2}
Jesus walked alone with Peter, for there was something which
He wished to communicate to him only. Before His death, Jesus had said to him,
"Whither I go, thou canst not follow Me now; but thou shalt follow Me
afterwards." To this Peter had replied, "Lord, why cannot I follow
Thee now? I will lay down my life for Thy sake." John 13:36, 37. When he
said this, he little knew to what heights and depths Christ's feet would lead
the way. Peter had failed when the test came, but again he was to have
opportunity to prove his love for Christ. That he might be strengthened for the
final test of his faith, the Saviour opened to him his future. He told him that
after living a life of usefulness, when age was telling upon his strength, he
would indeed follow his Lord. Jesus said, "When thou wast young, thou
girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be
old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry
thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake He, signifying by what death he
should glorify God." {DA
815.3}
Jesus thus made known to Peter the very manner of his death;
He even foretold the stretching forth of his hands upon the cross. Again He
bade His disciple, "Follow Me." Peter was not disheartened by the
revelation. He felt willing to suffer any death for his Lord. {DA 815.4}
Heretofore Peter had known Christ after the flesh, as many
know Him now; but he was no more to be thus limited. He knew Him no more as he
had known Him in his association with Him in humanity. [816] He had
loved Him as a man, as a heaven-sent teacher; he now loved Him as God. He had
been learning the lesson that to him Christ was all in all. Now he was prepared
to share in his Lord's mission of sacrifice. When at last brought to the cross,
he was, at his own request, crucified with his head downward. He thought it too
great an honor to suffer in the same way as his Master did. {DA 815.5}
To Peter the words "Follow Me" were full of
instruction. Not only for his death, but for every step of his life, was the
lesson given. Hitherto Peter had been inclined to act independently. He had
tried to plan for the work of God, instead of waiting to follow out God's plan.
But he could gain nothing by rushing on before the Lord. Jesus bids him,
"Follow Me." Do not run ahead of Me. Then you will not have the hosts
of Satan to meet alone. Let Me go before you, and you will not be overcome by
the enemy. {DA 816.1}
As Peter walked beside Jesus, he saw that John was
following. A desire came over him to know his future, and he "saith
to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will
that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me." Peter
should have considered that his Lord would reveal to him all that it was best
for him to know. It is the duty of everyone to follow Christ, without undue
anxiety as to the work assigned to others. In saying of John, "If I will
that he tarry till I come," Jesus gave no assurance that this disciple
should live until the Lord's second coming. He merely asserted His own supreme
power, and that even if He should will this to be so, it would in no way affect
Peter's work. The future of both John and Peter was in the hands of their Lord.
Obedience in following Him was the duty required of each. {DA 816.2}
How many today are like Peter! They are interested in the
affairs of others, and anxious to know their duty, while they are in danger of
neglecting their own. It is our work to look to Christ and follow Him. We shall
see mistakes in the lives of others, and defects in their character. Humanity
is encompassed with infirmity. But in Christ we shall find perfection.
Beholding Him, we shall become transformed. {DA 816.3}
John lived to be very aged. He witnessed the destruction of
Jerusalem, and the ruin of the stately temple,—a symbol of the final
ruin of the world. To his latest days John closely followed his Lord. The
burden of his testimony to the churches was, "Beloved, let us love one
another;" "he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in
him." 1 John 4:7, 16. [817] {DA 816.4}
Peter had been restored to his apostleship, but the honor
and authority he received from Christ had not given him supremacy over his
brethren. This Christ had made plain when in answer to Peter's question,
"What shall this man do?" He had said, "What is that to thee?
follow thou Me." Peter was not honored as the head of the church. The
favor which Christ had shown him in forgiving his apostasy, and entrusting him
with the feeding of the flock, and Peter's own faithfulness in following
Christ, won for him the confidence of his brethren. He had much influence in
the church. But the lesson which Christ had taught him by the Sea of Galilee
Peter carried with him throughout his life. Writing by the Holy Spirit to the
churches, he said: {DA
817.1}
"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also
an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the
glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking
the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre,
but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being
ensamples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall
receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Peter 5:1-4. {DA 817.2}
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"Go Teach All Nations"
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