How dreary it must have been--this tiresome handling of oars and boats and fishing-nets, after their years of exalted life with their Master! But it is a precious thought to us that just at this time, when they were in the midst of the dull and wearisome work, and when they were sadly discouraged, Christ appeared to them.

It showed his interest in their work, his sympathy with them in their discouragement, and his readiness to help them.
Then the revealings of his appearance that morning are for all his friends and for all time.

We know now that our risen Saviour is interested in whatever we have to do, and is ready to help us in all our dull, common life.

He will come to his people, not in the church service, the prayer-meeting, the Holy Supper only, but is quite as apt to reveal himself to them in the task-work of the plainest, dullest day.

Susan Coolidge writes:-- "That thy full glory may abound, increase, And so thy likeness shall be formed in me, I pray; the answer is not rest or peace, But changes, duties, wants, anxieties, Till there seems room for everything but thee, And never time for anything but these.
"And I should fear, but lo! amid the press, The whirl and hum and pressure of my day, I hear thy garments sweep, thy seamless dress, And close beside my work and weariness Discern thy gracious form, not far away, But very near, O Lord, to help and bless.
"The busy fingers fly; the eyes may see Only the glancing needle which they hold; But all my life is blossoming inwardly, And every breath is like a litany; While through each labor, like a thread of gold, Is woven the sweet consciousness of thee." There are duties in every life that are irksome.