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Vou. XXXITI BROOKLYN, N. Y., JULY 1, 1912 No. 1 HOW ST. PETER WAS PUNISHED FOR DENYING HIS LORD “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”—John 21:15-17. The context shows that these words were addressed by the Redeemer to St. Peter on the occasion of his third manifestation to his disciples after hig resurrection. This was presumably three or four weeks after the Master’s resurrection from the dead. His manifestations to the women on the morning of his resurrection and his later manifestations to the two as they went to Emmaus are evidently not counted, but the manifestation the same evening in the upper room, when all the disciples except Thomas and Judas were present, is counted the first. And the manifestations a week later, Thomas being present, is counted the second. The delay in giving this third manifestation was evidently for the purpose of testing the faith of the Apostles and of leading them to reach a conclusion respecting their future course, which Jesus wished to correct. So far as we can understand the record at least two Sundays passed without any further manifestation of Jesus to his disciples, and then, giving up hope, they decided to return to the fishing business and did so. The journey to Galilee and the resumption of business presumably took another week, During all those thirty days the mental attitude of all the apostles and the other disciples can be better imagined than described. They were perplexed, they had indeed had evidences of the Master’s resurrection; they had had the Scriptures called to their attention which proved that this was necessary, and that God had previously so arranged. They had hoped for further conferences with Jesus and that he would have told them definitely what to do. Instead, left to themselves, the disciples were thoroughly disheartened. They had left all to follow him, to tell the people that he was the Son of God, the long-promised Messtah, and that he would soon set up his kingdom, which would bring blessings, primarily to Israel and, secondary, through Israel, to all the families of the earth in harmony with the Abrahamic Covenant. Now apparently all of these hopes were dashed, frustrated. How foolish they thought it would seem for them to try to convince the people that a man, crucified as a malefactor, as a blasphemer, was indeed the Messiah! How foolish it would seem to tell of his resurrection! ‘They felt that they could do nothing else than abandon the ministry as a lost cause; and the resumption of the fishing business was the logical conclusion. THEY TOILED ALL THE NIGHT Their first night was a discouraging one—they caught nothing. It looked indeed as though God was punishing them for the course they had taken in becoming disciples of Jesus—that everything was going wrong. But not so; they were merely being taught needed lessons. In the morning they beheld a stranger on the shore who beckoned and shouted to know if they had any fish for sale. They replied, No, they had made no catch. ‘he stranger suggested casting the net on the other side of the boat, And, although the suggestion seemed a foolish one, having been so unsuccessful, vet they did so, and immediately the net was filled with fishes! It did not require long for them to learn the lesson. They knew instinctively that the unknown stranger upon the shore was none other than their Master. They remembered a very similar experience at the time they were first called to leave their nets and to become fishers of men. All interest had just centered in the fishing business, but now boats and fish and nets all lost their value in the estimation of these fishermen, Here was their risen Lord, for whose third appearance they had been waiting now nearly three weeks. Fearing that the Master would disappear, even before he could get to him, St. Peter plunged into the sea and swam ashore, To his surprise the stranger already had fish and had them cooked, and all were invited to join in the breakfast on the shore of Galilee. The stranger had not the clothing by which they had known their Lord, neither did he have the marks of the nails in his hands and feet, that they might thus identify him. ‘his was a different manifestation. They knew him as did those with whom he walked 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 have performed such a miracle. They did not ask who he was; they felt a restraint; as we read, “None of them durst ask who he was,” but all knew that he was the Lord. “LOVEST THOU ME MORE?’’ The stranger addressed St. Peter particularly, saying, “Lovest thou me more than these”—these boats and nets, (207-208) etc., pertaining to the fishing business? St. Peter answered, “Lord, Thou knowest that I affectionately love thee.” He used a word expressing fondness of love. Jesus replied, “Feed my lambs.” Then came the question a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” A great pressure was felt by St. Peter. Why did the Master so particularly question his love. Why did he put this question more to him than to the others? Was it because he had heen the first of the disciples to suggest the resumption of the fishing business? Was he to blame for this? But he answered, “Lord, thou knowest that I affectionately love thee.” Jesus this time replied, “Tend my sheep.” For the third time Jesus said to St. Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, dost thou affectionately love me?” Here Jesus used the same word that St. Peter had used, as though he questioned the affection and depth of St. Peter’s love. An! the third time must have sent the memory of St. Peter back to the scene in Caiaphas’ Judgment Hall, when he denied his Master the third time, even with cursing. And now Jesus for the third time had asked him respecting his love and whether it was really a love of affection! St. Peter’s choking reply was, “Lord, thou knowest all things! Thou knowest that I affectionately love thee!” ‘The Lord’s reply was, “Feed my sheep.” In harmony with these words of the Master to St. Peter the chief work of his followers has been to minister to the needs of the spirit-begotten sheep. It is in full harmony with this that St. Paul, addressing the elders of Ephesus, counseled that they “feed the flock of God, which he had purchased with the blood of his own Son.” There is a point here that perhaps is too frequently overlooked. If all of the Lord’s followers could realize that the message to St. Peter is the same as comes to all of us, perhaps it would make a change in most of our preaching. OUR MISTAKEN METHODS Have not Christians in general overlooked this important lesson, namely, that the chief work of the ministers and under-shepherds of the Lord’s flock during this age is to ‘feed the flock”? Is it not true that comparatively little feeding is being done? On the contrary, the thought usually received by new converts is, Now you are saved; go, evangelize, and bring others to Christ—especially bring money, for with plenty of it we can convert the world. Work for Jesus by soliciting funds for church expenses, extension, etc., ete. If the inquirer has thoughts or feelings igs it not too often the case that his instructors know not how to answer them, but merely say, “Stop thinking, and go to work’? Alas, that this is so true! The “lambs” should be fed until they become “sheep.” The sheep should be tended, cared for, guided, instructed, and the sheep should also be fed with the stronger meat than that which the lambs could appropriate. St. Paul gives this thought when on one occasion he urges his hearers to desire “the sincere milk of the Word that they may grow thereby.” But few seem to copy the great St. Paul in respect to their methods. Few seem to realize and apply to themselves the Master’s words to St. Peter, “Feed my lambs,” and “my sheep.” As a consequence, the church of Christ is in a languishing condition. Many, sincere at heart, know not what they believe. Many would find it impossible to follow St. Peter’s admonition, “Be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within you, with meekness and reverence.”—1 Peter 3:15. REASONS FOR THE NEGLECT OF THE DOCTRINES OF CHRIST There are two reasons which have led up to the neglect of “the doctrines of Christ”—the teachings of the Bible. These two reasons fully explain why so many are telling new believers, Never mind the doctrines of Christ, but go out and convert somebody. The first of these reasons is the erroneous thought which gained ascendency during the dark ages, namely, that from Pentecost until the second coming of Jesus is the time allotted by the Heavenly Father for the world’s conversion, and that this is the commission which he gives to his people, and if the world be not converted the responsibility for their eterfial torture will fall upon his people. All of this is a mistake. Not a word of Scripture tells that the church was commissioned to convert the world before the second coming of the Lord. Quite to the contrary, the Scriptures show that at the Lord’s second coming the world will be unconverted. The Apocalypse particularly tells us that when the Lord at his second coming shall establish [5052]