The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-06

cherished toward COP, or truth and virtue, or
a noble character. Peter used a word (phi-
| leo) which denotes love as an emotion, in
stinct or feeling. In the last question JESUS
employed Peters word, which seems to have
grieved him. Peter had protested a devo-
ton to his Master exceeding that of all the
other disciples (see above). JESUS now in
quires, delicately implying a rebuke, "Do
you love me more devotedly than these2"
Peter replies, "You know that affectionate-
ly love YOU" JESUS said, "Feed my dear
lambs" JESUS repeated his question, omit
ting the reference to the others. Peter an
swered as before. JESUS said to him, Care
for my Sheep CLOCK may better express the
idea). JESUS now adopts Peters word and
inquiries, ''Do you affectionately love me?"
Peter Inundated and grieved, exclaimed,
"You know all things, you perceive that 1
do" JESUS replied, "Feed my dear sheep"
Then JESUS said to his weak but fond apos-
tie, "Simon, son of Jonas, honorest
thou me more than theseY'
"Yea, Lord, thou knowest that love thee"
"Feed my lambs"
Simon had felt in his Utmost heart what
was meant by that kind of rebuke;-"more
than these" 1t called back to his penitent
soul those boastful words uttered SO conf
IDENTIFY among his brethren, although all
shall be offended, yet will not l." Failure
had taught him humility, and therefore he
will neither claim a -eminence in affec-
ton, nor accept the word of the Saviour's
question, which involved deep honor and
devotion and esteem; but will substitute for
it that weaker word, which yet best expressed
the warm human affection of his heart. And
the next time the question reminded him
less painfully of his old 5elf-confdence, for
JESUS said to him only
"Simon, son of Jonas, honorest thou me?'
Again the apostle humbly answered in
the same words as before
"Yea, Lord, thou knowest that l love
thee"
''Tend my sheep"
Bot Simon had thrice denied, and there
fore it was fitting that he shoulo thrice con-
TESS. Again, after brief pause, came the
question-and this time with the weaker but
warmer word which the apostle himself had
chosen
"Simon, son of Jonas, toUest thou me?''
And Simon, deeply BUNDLED and distressed,
exclaimed, "Lord, thou knowest ell things;
thou seest that l love thee"
"Feed my beloved sheep."-The Life of
CHRIST Farrar.
Peter had professed to love JESUS more
than the other disciples, but had afterwards
denied him, and had been rebuked and hu-
INFLATED. JESUS alludes to Peters former
professions of love in the fret question,
Lowest thou me more than these?" This is
important. In the second question he drops
the words "more than these" and asks sim
ply, "Lovest thou me?' still, however, using
0gdpG0 In the third question he drops the
word dgdpoO, and uses the word ph2teo,
which is the only word used by the humbled
and now tmid Peter, word of less signih-
aay1no hon In int nf Il
asks Peter three questions. He dared not
answer either of the first two, the second of
which was letting down from the first.
jesus then descended step lower and came
to Peters level. Then Peter was grieved.
DR.. f. @. Ever, quoted in Uai0erSalist Quar-
terly October, 1877.
4. The reference to the pastoral vocation
in JESUS exhofation to Peter, suggest the
proper duties of the Christian apostle,
preacher and teacher as well as the evidence
of devoted discipleship. JESUS is the Good
Shepherd. Mankind is his flock, especially
believers, who are his oaoR sheep, who hear
his ooice and .follo,o him (see John x). The
flock must be cared for-fed and tended-by
the shepherds-pastors and teachers. The
young especially are to be carefully nurtured
in the truth and life of the Gospel. The
Church and Sunday-school must be main
tanned ana prospered, and all disciples should
manifest their devotion to the Master by
some kind of service for humanity.
8. JESUS predicted the future faithfulness
and martyrdom of Peter. The Book of Acts
and his Epistles testify to his devotion and
abundant labors in preaching the Gospel of
the Kingdom, and planting and tr aiming the
Christian Church. 1t is the unanimous tes-
timony of antiquity that Peter died at Rome
victim of the cruel persecution under Nero.
He was probably crucified. "Follow me-"
said JESUS, and he did now follow his Master,
in unfaltering loyalty to truth and duty, going
to his glory, like him, by way of the cross. AT
first he boastingly promised exceedingly great
devotion to his Master, which proved only
short-lived personal affection. Afterwards
he humbly avowed but deeply-fe affec-
ton; and gave the devotion of his life, de-
votion stronger than death, gaining mar
tyr's name and a martyrs crown, illustrating
his Masters words, "Whoever shall exalt
himself will be humbled and whoever shall
humble himself, will be exalted"