| Finding the Way |
Chapter 8 |
Page 5 |
If a noble human friendship can mean so much to one who enjoys its blessings, what must the friendship of Christ have meant to the men who had enjoyed all that was tender and precious in it! But now this precious companionship was ended. In their bewilderment without His presence, the disciples had gone back to their old work. “I go a fishing,” said Simon. “We also come with thee,” the others said. But how weary it must have seemed, this tiresome handling of boats and oars and ropes and nets, after those three years of exalted friendship with Christ! They had supposed that this sort of commonplace work would never be theirs again. But now it seemed all that was left for them to do. They were heroic in returning to the old tasks, dreary though they were. They took up the work that was at hand, dull though it was, and lo! There stood the Master by the fire, with comfort and blessing for them.
The time of the appearance of Jesus was most opportune. It was when the men were at their work. A little while before He had appeared to them in the upper room, when they were at prayer. We expect Christ to meet us when we assemble to worship Him. But here the appearance was when they were at their old occupation. Christ will meet us, not only at the Communion or at the mercy seat – He is quite as likely to manifest Himself to us in the dullest task work of the common days.
“So still, dear Lord, in every place
Thou standest by the toiling folk
With love and pity in Thy face,
And givest of Thy help and grace
To those who meekly bear the yoke.”
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