3. The sum of the question was, “Lovest thou me more than these fisheries?” Or, to express it more fully and liberally, “Lovest thou me more than thou lovest these fisheries?” The state of the case was, that the Lord had _called them to be preachers_. They had from the beginning been under a mistaken notion. Their idea was, that Jesus was to be a king in an earthly kingdom. This, they supposed, would all take place in his lifetime, on this earth. It never entered into their minds that Jesus would die before his reign commenced. It specially never entered into their minds that he would die by crucifixion. When he was crucified and actually dead, they thought he was defeated, that his enemies had triumphed, that all was lost and their mission at an end. In this view, Simon Peter said, “I go a fishing.” Another disciple replied, “I go along.” This was utterly giving all up for lost. Poor men; like most preachers, who quit their proper work of preaching the gospel, and turn aside to some secular avocation, they did not prosper. “_They toiled all night and caught nothing._” What a caution to preachers who turn aside from their work! The Lord appears to them and inquires of them, “Children, have you any meat?” They reply, “We have none.” He commands them, “Cast your net on the right side of the ship.” They cast the net and take the most astonishing draught of fish they ever saw. He caused their business to prosper beyond anything they had ever experienced. Their prospects in this avocation were now brighter than ever before. They are now in the midst of an excitement of prosperity, intensely engaged with their nets and fish. Every thing is purposely made as attractive and fascinating as it can be. While it is all before their eyes, in its most exciting, fascinating and attractive form, the Lord tries them, puts them to the test: “Lovest thou me more than these?” probably at the same moment, pointing his finger to the nets and fish. Peter replied, “Lord thou knowest that I love thee.” The Lord commands, “Feed my sheep.” That is, “If you love me more than these fisheries,” and are willing to forsake these and do my work, “Feed my sheep.” This question, “Lovest thou me more than these?” is one of so much importance that it is repeated three times over, and the Lord says to them, “I will make you fishers of men.” This remark he had made to them when he first called them from their fisheries. After this last charge, “Feed my sheep,” “Feed my lambs,” we have no account of their ever fishing any more.