DR 26
December 26
John 21:15-17. Christ questions Peter concerning his love.
"Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these?" Why did the Lord Jesus ask this question? And why did he say three times, "Do you love me?" Peter had lately denied him openly three times. It is a great satisfaction to a penitent backslider, to have an opportunity of expressing his feelings. If Jesus had not made the inquiry in this pointed manner, Peter might have felt afraid of coming forward as he used to do. He might have thought, "How have I belied all my professions by my conduct!—henceforth I will keep silence;" but Jesus invited him to speak. Then Peter replied, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He had lost his self-confidence, but he retained his fervor. He no longer professed to love his Lord more than his fellow-disciples loved him; he no longer protested, "Though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never be offended;" but he still felt that he loved his Master, and he still knew, that though others might suspect his sincerity, the Searcher of hearts never could.
Is it a comfort to us to reflect that Jesus knows our hearts? Do we feel assured that when he looks into them he sees there some—though not enough—gratitude for all his kindness? What should we think of Peter, if he had not loved his Lord! What should we think of him, if he could have beheld Jesus dying on the cross, and not have loved him! and if he could have received a generous pardon after his base denial—and not have loved him! and if he could that morning have taken the food from his pierced hands—and not have loved him! But has Jesus done nothing for us? Is there one person here present who can say, "I have no reason to love the Lord; he has done nothing for me; he has shown me no kindness; he has never fed me, nor pardoned me, nor shed his blood for me?" No creature knows how much Jesus has done for him; when all his goodness, and forbearance, and patience come to light, (as they will do, at the last day,) everyone who has not loved him will be overwhelmed with shame, and confusion of face.
It is the earnest wish of those who do love the Lord, to know how they can please him. Jesus told Peter how to show his love. He said, "Feed my lambs," and then "Feed my sheep." He had made Peter a minister of the gospel. In a minister's office there are two parts—the first is, "Converting sinners;" the second, "Instructing saints." When the Lord that morning had caused the disciples to catch a multitude of fish, he had shown them that they would, by preaching the gospel, convert many sinners. When he commanded Peter to feed his sheep and lambs, he taught him that it would be his duty to instruct the saints. A minister resembles both a fisherman and a shepherd. When he is exhorting sinners to come to Jesus, then he is like a fisherman enclosing fish in his net; when he is teaching believers, then he is like a shepherd feeding his flock.
The lambs are the first objects of the shepherd's care, because they are weaker than the sheep. All children who love Christ are his lambs; good ministers feed them with the fresh grass that grows by the still waters. When they tell them about the good Shepherd, who died to save sinners, then it is they feed the lambs. Jesus himself gathers them with his arms, and carries them in his bosom, and keeps them from the roaring lion who seeks to devour them. There are some aged people who have only just begun to believe, and these also are counted by Jesus among his lambs. It may be, that neglected by earthly shepherds, they have gone "from mountain, to hill," and had "'forgotten their resting-place." (Jer. 50:6.) When lo! in their declining years, they heard a voice saying, "Come unto me, all you that are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." They obeyed the gentle call, and now each of them can say, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." There are many little children who have repeated this verse as soon as they could lisp; and many aged saints who have uttered it with their expiring breath.