Yonder is some One standing on the beach.  But that’s nothing unusual.  They barely notice Him.  And now this Stranger calls out to them a cheery common question, “Caught anything?” And now He gives a—­no, it can hardly be called a command, so quietly is it said.  Yet they are subtly conscious of a something in the word that makes them obey, though it’s the last sort of thing to do.

And now at once the net-ropes pull so hard; astonishing this!  Then John’s keen spirit detects Who it is.  Is he thinking of the other big unexpected haul in those same waters![136] And Peter’s over the side of the boat shoreward.  Fishing has lost all attraction for him.

And when they all got ashore with their haul, tired, wet, chilled to the marrow, hungry, what’s this?  A blazing fire of coals burning cheerfully on the sands.  And some fish dexterously poised, doing to a brown turn, and some bread.  And the Stranger, no, Jesus, He’s no longer a stranger, Jesus says quietly, “Boys, better bring the haul up on the beach.”

And the old fishing habit still strong on them counts the fish.  It’s such an unusual haul, they must know how many.  John must be thinking again about that earlier haul.  The net couldn’t stand the strain then.  But now it’s different.  Ah! everything’s blessedly different now.  “The net was not rent.”

Then the gracious call to breakfast by their Host.  Was ever fish done to such a fine turn?  Did ever any fish have such an exquisite flavour? or taste so good?  Did ever men eat so gladly and yet quietly with a distinct touch of awe in their spirits?  For they know it is the Master, though no word of that has been spoken.  Words were needless.

Now they’re walking along the beach, Jesus and Peter in the lead but the others quite near.  And there’s the bit of talk between the two.  Very gently Jesus says, “Do you love Me, Peter?” And Peter feels he hardly dare use the sacred word for “love” that the Master has used.  He had made such an awful break at just that point.  And with breaking voice he says, “Yea, Lord, Thou knowest I have the highest regard for Thee.”

And again the question, and the answer, with Peter still humbly clinging to his more modest word.  And now Jesus says, “Do you really love Me even as you yourself say?” And Peter with his heart in his face says passionately, “Lord, Thou knowest better than I can tell Thee.”

And because he loves, Peter is given the full privilege of shepherding the whole flock, from feeding little lambkins on to feeding all, and guiding, through the hard places, even the wayward ones.  And more yet and higher, because Peter loves, he will be privileged to suffer, even as his Master had suffered.  The fellowship would extend even to that.

And Peter’s eye falls on John.  And apparently he is thinking of the contrast between John’s faithfulness and his own break that betrayal-night.  If poor faulty Peter may be so privileged how John would be rewarded.  But Jesus quietly turns Peter, and all Peter’s numerous kinsfolk of this sort, away from human comparisons.  And instead He seeks to turn their hearts to this:  He is coming back in person some day for an advance step in the kingdom program.  And there they are, walking and talking, along the beach by the blue Galilean waters.