Christ the first. How variously God dispenses his gifts, and what difference there may be between
some believers and others in the way of their honouring Christ, yet they all may be accepted of
him! Others continue in the ship, drag the net, and bring the fish to shore, and such persons ought
not to be blamed as worldly; for they, in their places, are as truly serving Christ as the others. The
Lord Jesus had provision ready for them. We need not be curious in inquiring whence this came;
but we may be comforted at Christ's care for his disciples. Although there were so many, and such
great fishes, yet they lost none, nor damaged their net. The net of the gospel has enclosed multitudes,
yet it is as strong as ever to bring souls to God.
Verses 15–19
Our Lord addressed Peter by his original name, as if he had forfeited that of Peter through his
denying him. He now answered, Thou knowest that I love thee; but without professing to love Jesus
more than others. We must not be surprised to have our sincerity called into question, when we
ourselves have done that which makes it doubtful. Every remembrance of past sins, even pardoned
sins, renews the sorrow of a true penitent. Conscious of integrity, Peter solemnly appealed to Christ,
as knowing all things, even the secrets of his heart. It is well when our falls and mistakes make us
more humble and watchful. The sincerity of our love to God must be brought to the test; and it
behoves us to inquire with earnest, preserving prayer to the heart-searching God, to examine and
prove us, whether we are able to stand this test. No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs
of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthly advantage or object. It is
the great concern of every good man, whatever death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our
chief end but this, to die to the Lord, at the word of the Lord?
Verses 20–24
Sufferings, pains, and death, will appear formidable even to the experienced Christian; but in
the hope to glorify God, to leave a sinful world, and to be present with his Lord, he becomes ready
to obey the Redeemer's call, and to follow Him through death to glory. It is the will of Christ that
his disciples should mind their own duty, and not be curious about future events, either as to
themselves or others. Many things we are apt to be anxious about, which are nothing to us. Other
people's affairs are nothing to us, to intermeddle in; we must quietly work, and mind our own
business. Many curious questions are put about the counsels of God, and the state of the unseen
world, as to which we may say, What is this to us? And if we attend to the duty of following Christ,
we shall find neither heart nor time to meddle with that which does not belong to us. How little are
any unwritten traditions to be relied upon! Let the Scripture be its own interpreter, and explain
itself; as it is, in a great measure, its own evidence, and proves itself, for it is light. See the easy
setting right such mistakes by the word of Christ. Scripture language is the safest channel for
Scripture truth; the words which the Holy Ghost teaches, 1Co 2:13. Those who cannot agree in the
same terms of art, and the application of them, may yet agree in the same Scripture terms, and to
love one another.
Verse 25