"Feed my lambs."--_John 2:15._
OUR Lord told His apostles to go into Galilee; and there some of them
went out fishing on the lake, as they used to do; but they fished
all night, and caught nothing. In the dawn of morning, they saw One
standing on the bank, and He said, "Children, have ye any meat?" They
said, "No." Then He said, "Cast the net on the right side of the ship."
And directly the net was full of a hundred and fifty-three fishes, all
large and good, and it did not break!
[Illustration: JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES AT THE SEA OF
TIBERIAS.--John 21:1-7.]
Then John knew who it was, and said to Peter, "It is the Lord." And
Peter was so glad, that he sprang out of the boat, and came hurrying
through the water to His Master's feet.
And JESUS said, "Come and dine;" and the disciples found a fire ready
lighted on the bank, with the broiled fish and bread; and they ate
with Him again, and felt His care after their long, weary, hungry night.
When they had eaten, the Lord said, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou
me more than these?"
"Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee," Peter answered.
"Feed my sheep," our Lord said. Then again He asked, "Simon, son of
Jonas, lovest thou me?" "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee,"
said Peter. "Feed my lambs," He said; and again He asked, "Simon, son
of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Then Peter was grieved, and said, "Lord,
Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee."
And again Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." Peter knew that our Lord is the
Good Shepherd, and that His sheep and lambs are the people and the
children of His flock, the Church; and that he was to show his love for
His Master by taking care of them.