John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord… I. LOVE RECOGNIZING JESUS. John was distinguished for his clear and far-reaching vision. Peter was the embodiment of zeal, John of love. 1. Love can recognize where mere earnestness fails. You did not hear anything as you sat in your friend's house, and you were rather surprised when she broke off her sentence with "Excuse me" and hurriedly left the room — the fact was the mother had heard the cry of her child. You would have been earnest enough in doing good to the little one; but only the mother's ear could hear its voice. And so in the case before us: let Peter but get half an idea that Jesus is standing on the shore, and nothing will keep him in the boat; but Peter, with all his earnestness, would perhaps have never said, "It is the Lord." 2. Love communicates good. John could not keep the good tidings to himself. Whether in temporal or spiritual blessings, love invites others to share. II. IMPETUOSITY AND ZEAL ENDEAVOURING TO HOLD COMMUNION WITH JESUS. 1. Consistency of character. The same Peter who once before walked upon the sea — who said, "Though all men forsake Thee yet will not I" — who ran into the sepulchre, and compelled John to follow, casts himself into the sea to go to Jesus. 2. Naturalness. Had any one else but Peter attempted this, it would have appeared awkward and ungraceful; had he refrained from rushing off to Jesus we should have felt that it was not like Peter. We believe in individuality. It would be better for the Church and the world if men would be themselves. III. THE WISDOM OF CAREFULNESS. The other disciples took care of the fishes and came to land by the boat, and they were right; for — 1. They were preserving what Jesus had given them. 2. They were showing that they appreciated His blessings. IV. VARIETY IN UNITY. That little ship contained the infant Church, yet in that Church you find various types of character. There is the loving John, the go-ahead Peter, and the quiet, careful people who take care of the necessaries of life. And so in the Church. We need men who can stand upon the watch tower and point to Christ; we need others full of fire; and the plodding men who never do anything out of the way, but nevertheless do a great deal of necessary work. Thus — 1. God distributes His gifts in various ways and infinite variety. 2. We should beware of jealousy. 3. We ought not to judge each other. As Matthew Henry says, "Some are useful as the Church's eyes, some as the Church's hands, and others as the Church's feet; but all are for the good of the body." (A. F. Barfield.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. |
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