of all the Jewish remnant, represented by Mary Magdalene, but brought by a risen Christ into the knowledge of the place of christian privileges-privileges that she announces to the disciples. Following upon this communication, the assembled disciples find the Lord Jesus in their midst, pronouncing upon them the peace that He had just made: then He sends them, founding their mission on the peace given, and putting into their hands the administration of the forgiveness of sins, in communicating the Holy Ghost to them. Finally, the Jewish remnant at the end, which believes when it sees, but which does not enjoy the same privileges as those who believe during Christ's absence, that is, whilst we do not see. Thomas (the remnant) would not receive the testimony that had been borne to him. of Jesus' resurrection.

CHAPTER XXI.

THIS last chapter is purposely mys terious, and gives us what will take place when Jesus comes back; but

besides, the restoration of Peter's soul after his fall. Verses 1-14 relate what follows Jesus' return, the third time He shews Himself. The first time, is the day of the resurrection; the second time, a week later, when Thomas was there; these two occasions present the remnant that had become the church, and the remnant at the end. Here, in this chapter, it is what is called the millennium. It is the third time that Jesus shews Himself to them, when they are met together; in figure it was first of all for Christians, then for the Jewish remnant, and finally for the Gentile world. Hence we find that Jesus had already here some fish on the fire, that is the Jewish remnant. But in throwing the net into the sea of peoples, the disciples gather together a mass of fish, without, however, the net breaking. In the beginning (Luke v.) they had taken a mass of peoples, but then the net brake. The administrative order that contained the fish, could not keep them according to this order, but here the Saviour's presence

changes everything. Nothing breaks, and He is again associated with His own, and in the power of the fruit of His work.

After this mysterious scene, He restores Peter, but in sounding his heart, and in making him know himself. This is what the Lord does always. Peter had said, that if all denied Him, he would not. The Saviour asks him if he loved Him more than the others. Peter appeals to the knowledge that the Lord had; Jesus confides His lambs to him. When we are really humbled, and have lost all confidence in ourselves, then the Lord can commit to us that which is most dear to His heart: "Feed my lambs;" He says to him. Note well that Jesus does not at all reproach Peter with anything that he had done, but He goes, for his good, to the very bottom of his soul, even to that false self-confidence that had caused his fall. Then, repeating the question three times, which should have recalled to Peter his denial, three times repeated, He widens the sphere

of His confidence, and says to him, "Take care of my sheep." Peter had strengthened the expression of his affection in saying, "Thou knowest that thou art dear to me." The Lord takes up the word, and says, “Am I dear to thee?" Peter was troubled because the Lord questioned his affection again, and said to Him: "Thou knowest all things, thou knowest that thou art dear to me." He appeals to that knowledge that sounds all hearts, but this is confessing that it needed that knowledge to know it; for, according to all appearances, when Peter was put to the proof, he shewed himself unfaithful at the moment when his devotedness was needed, and men could have said that Peter had turned out a hypocrite. But, thank God, notwithstanding all our weaknesses, there is One who knows what He Himself has set at

In the first two questions, Jesus says to Peter: "[ayamaç uɛ] Lovest thou me.' Peter answers instantly: "[pi σe] Thou art dear me" and this is the word that Jesus employs the third time.

to

the bottom of our hearts, and if He searches us and makes us know ourselves, and the root of evil in us, He recognises still lower down that which He has created there; may His name be praised; and He fills with grace that which His grace has put there, and confides in this grace in us, maintained by the constant stream of His grace, when once we have been humbled enough.

We see also in this passage, how dear His sheep are to Jesus. He thinks of them in going away, to provide their food and needful care. But there is something more in His grace towards poor Peter. He had lost the fine opportunity he had had. To save his life he had denied the Saviour, and that which want of faith had lost is not always given back, though something better be given us. If we cross the Jordan,* we cannot go up the mountain of the Amorites any more, we must wander in the arid desert.

Read and compare Numbers xiii. and Deuteronomy i.