When to His disciples now
Jesus first Himself did show,
One call'd Thomas was away,
And saw not the Lord that day.
Those who saw, with one accord
Told him, "We have seen the Lord."
"In His hands except I see
"And feel marks of nails," said he
"And His side my hand receive
"Thrust in, I will not believe.”
Fight days after came the Lord,
And held Thomas to his word.
"Hither reach thy hand," He cried,
"Thrust it too into My side;
"Be not faithless but believe."
Thomas did the truth perceive,
Instant he his faith proclaim'd
And, "My Lord and God," exclaim'd.
"Thou hast seen Me, therefore thou
"Hast believed," said Jesus now:
"Blessed are the faithful few
Who believe, but not like you
"Have seen-their Lord." Thus in love
He the doubtful did reprove.
Cease, ye sceptics, cease your strife-
Hail, triumphant Lord of life!
With Thine own, Thy holy hand,
Thou hast foil'd th' infernal band,
And the pangs of death o'ercome
Ris'n victorious from the tomb !
Thine the triumph, Thine the might
Endless bliss to bring to light.
Thou dost to Thy ransom'd fold
Heaven and deathless life unfold.
Foes all cast beneath Thy feet
Soon Thy conquests shall complete.
Thee eternal joys await,*
Thee all nations celebrate,
Thee in every place and clime
Men shall bless throughout all time,
And when time shall be no more
Magnify Thee and adore.
Circling round Thy throne on high
With the angels they shall cry,
Cherubim and Seraphim
Swell the everlasting hymn :
Join Thy praises to proclaim
And exalt Thy glorious name.
"Shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied."- Isaiah liii., v. 11,
Faithless men must still be found,
Faithless though the truth abound.
Their loved Lord the brethren see
As was told in Galilee :
And their faith still to maintain
Jesus reappears again.
Peter and his fishing crew
All in vain their toil pursue,
Till the Lord stood on the shore
And ensured success once more.*
Fishes many, great in size,
Fill'd the net, a wondrous prize!
Common was to all the thought,
This success the Lord had brought.
Peter plunged into the tide
Quickly sought his Master's side;
Whilst the net his little band
In their vessel drew to land.
Soon then as they left the sea,
On the shore a fire they see,
Fish thereon and near some bread.
"Come and dine," then Jesus said.
None durst ask Him, Who art Thou?
Knowing He was Jesus now.
A second time securing a large draught of fishes. Compare Luke v., vs. 4
to 9, with John xxi., vs. 3 to 7.
Love divine the banquet spread;
There was fish and there was bread,
And a feast beyond compare,
For the risen Lord was there!
There was peace and righteousness
Glimpse of Eden happiness:
Looks of kindness and of grace
Beaming from that heavenly face,
Soft descending as the dew,
Comforted those chosen few.
Gladness, gratitude and love
In their hearts together strove :
Whilst to speak the brethren long
Awe restrain'd each eager tongue.
Holy silence reign'd around;
Heaven-born joys the banquet crown'd.
Angels in that feast of grace
Might have coveted a place.
No contention them assail'd
Harmony with all prevail'd.
Each with ardour strove to please
"Dost thou love Me more than these?"
Jesus asked, he who denied,
Once his Master, now replied.
"Yea, Lord, I love Thee full well;
"This Thou know'st and Thou canst tell
"How I love Thee." Then said He,
"Feed my lambs, thus honour Me.”
Silently in awe they heard
Him they honour'd and revered;
Nor presumed to speak their mind :
He their secret thoughts divined.
And again to Peter cried,
"Dost Thou love me?" He replied:
"Yea, Lord, I love Thee and trow
"That I love Thee, Thou dost know."
"Feed my sheep," then said the Lord :
All in silence heard the word.
Jesus ask'd again, "Dost thou,
"Son of Jonas, love Me now?"
Grieved was Peter, when said He
The third time, "Dost thou love me?" "Lord," said he "Thou know'st all things, "Of our thoughts the secret springs,
"What I feel I need not show
"That I love Thee, Thou dost know."
This spake he with bursting heart
Of his feelings to tell part.
|