John 21:3

John 21:3

I. The lot of Christ's disciples is usually a life of toil. In this, there is little difference between the Christian and the worldling; if anything, the difference is in the worldling's favour. The Christian is constrained to keep the king's highway, the beaten path of industry and straightforward honesty, and cannot shorten the journey by leaping fences, or trying an occasional near-cut through his neighbour's property. An omnipotent Master might have emancipated His servants from drudgery, but His wisdom or, what is the same thing His kindness, has judged that it is not good for man to be idle.

II. The toil of the disciple is not always successful. If for probationary purposes Infinite Wisdom has refused to make the Church on earth a playground or pleasure-ground, for the same reason He has refused to make it the infallible avenue to worldly wealth, the sure and certain passport to earthly rank or renown. A ship manned by good Christians, a concern in which none are embarked but disciples, may toil all night and catch nothing.

III. Of this calamity the great Eye is witness, and with this bitter grief the great Heart sympathises. It is not willingly or wilfully that He sends such an affliction; and as this incident teaches, if we take the Master's bidding, we shall yet be gainers by this loss; for this delay or disappointment we shall at last be all the richer. Had that throw of the net brought nothing from the lake, the Master had a meal prepared already on the land. So take His bidding, ply your calling, and if that calling fails to yield you food and raiment, you may fearlessly cast yourself on that all-embracing care and kindness by which the ravens are fed and the lilies are clothed.

J. Hamilton, Works,vol. i., p. 252.

References: John 21:3. G. Dawson, Sermons on Disputed Points,p. 148; Parker, City Temple,1871, p. 285; J. N. Norton, The King's Ferry Boat,p. 21 3 John 1:3. Christian World Pulpit,vol. v., p. 239. John 21:4. Preacher's Monthly,vol. v., p. 227; M. Dix, Sermons, Doctrinal and Practical,p. 108. John 21:5. J. N. Norton, Old Paths,p. 267. John 21:6. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. viii., No. 443; T. Birkett Dover, The Ministry of Mercy,p. 214.