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  THE SEA OF GALILEE
  by Robert Murray M'Cheyne
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Summary: The sermon reflects on the beauty and spiritual significance of
the Sea of Galilee as a place of Jesus' ministry and a reminder of the
importance of grace and commitment to faith.

Topics: "The Love of Christ", "Ministry and Discipleship"
Scripture References: Matthew 4:18

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DESCRIPTION
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Robert Murray M'Cheyne reflects on the beauty and significance of the
Sea of Galilee, emphasizing its connection to Jesus, who often walked
its shores and performed miracles there. He contrasts the natural beauty
of the sea with the spiritual beauty of Christ, who is the true source
of grace and salvation. M'Cheyne warns of the fleeting nature of grace
and the consequences of rejecting Christ, urging his congregation to
learn from the past and to embrace the love of the Savior. He recalls
the poignant moment when Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, highlighting
the call to shepherd God's flock. The sermon concludes with a prayer for
divine love to empower the faithful in their ministry.

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CONTENT
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How pleasant to me thy deep blue wave,

O sea of Galilee!

For the glorious One who came to save

Hath often stood by thee.

Fair are the lakes in the land I love,

Where pine and heather grow,

But thou hast loveliness far above

What Nature can bestow.

It is not that the wild gazelle

Comes down to drink thy tide,

But He that was pierced to save from hell

Oft wandered by thy side.

It is not that the fig-tree grows,

And palms, in thy soft air,

But that Sharon's fair and bleeding rose

Once spread its fragrance there.

Graceful around thee the mountains meet,

Thou clam reposing sea;

But ah, far more! the beautiful feet

Of Jesus walked o'er thee.

These days are past - Bethsaida, where?

Chorazin, where art thou?

His tent the wild Arab pitches there,

The wild reeds shade thy brow.

Tell me, ye mouldering fragments, tell,

Was the Saviour's city here?

Lifted to heaven, has it sunk to hell,

With none to shed a tear?

Ah! would my flock from thee might learn

How days of grace will flee;

How all an offered Christ who spurn,

Shall mourn at last, like thee.

And was it beside this very sea,

The new-risen Saviour said

Three times to Simon, "Lovest thou Me?"

My lambs and sheep then feed."

O Saviour! gone to God's right hand!

Yet the same Saviour still,

Graved on Thy heart is this lovely strand

And every fragrant hill.

Oh! give me, Lord, by this sacred wave,

Threefold Thy love divine,

That I may feed, till I find my grave,

Thy flock - both Thine and mine.

Sea of Galilee, 16th July 1839.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/robert-murray-m'cheyne/the-sea-of-galilee/
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