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Fish, Feed, Follow Brother David Green

Christ, the ever-vigilant shepherd, appears to His saints to guide them even when un-
looked for and fills the nets of their hearts with blessings, just as the disciples’ fish,
great in number and great in substance. Calling them out of their emptiness and void.

Harkening to the sounds of His instruction. And through His blessings they are made
to realize it is the Lord stirring their souls with all haste to draw nigh to Him (Hosea
11:4; Luke 24:13-32; Psa. 37:17,24,39; 84:11). As they are joined with Him, “come

and dine” He affectionately beckons. None resist or question (vs 12) knowing in their
heart of hearts it is the Lord. How thrilling those moments are when Christ actually
speaks to our labored and empty life renewing the remembrance of our former fellow-
ship with Him causing us to say aloud to our soul, “This I recall to my mind, therefore
have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that I am not consumed, because His compas-

sions they fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam.
3:21- 23). Whether the saint is as zealous as Peter and leaps into the sea with all
speed, or, if they continue in the ship and diligently row to bring themselves to Christ

(vss.7,8), it makes no difference. God dispenses his gifts as He will and the use of
each is equally honoring and accepted of Him (Rom. 12:6-8; 1Cor. 7:7; 12:4-11). He
has prepared for one as He has for all: the warmth of fire from His effectual call, the
bread of His fellowship and communion, and the meat of His word from which to be
strengthened and encouraged (vss. 9, 12, 13).

Note here, verses 9-13, the Savior even in His resurrected, glorious state continues to
act in the same form in which he came as a man, that of a servant (Phil. 2:7). Our call-

ing is no greater than the Master’s. Let us learn that whatever state we are in naturally
or spiritually, high or low, weak or strong, we never put off the mantle of servitude.
Paul said in 1 Cor. 9:19, “for though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself
servant to all…” Christ teaches this very important Christian character in this simple
act here with His disciples.

Now, Christ seems to use what He has done before, that is, in giving them good
instruction and then providing them food and fellowship, to approach Peter with his

own personal charge and commission to do the same spiritually. After they had dined,
Jesus says to Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” The Lord
uses Peter’s original name, as though because of his denial of Christ the name Peter
was as yet not worthy. Peter responds, “Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” But
he fails to answer the question if he loves Jesus more than the others. We must not be

surprised to have our true affections questioned when having done that which makes

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