The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-10-26

affec ion vii
Lever provoke an inquiry of doubt
The man interrogatcd was the fore
most apostle, distinguished by wonder
l"l experiences. rough uncultured
profnne fisherman, he was one day
introduced to JcsIs. His life was never
as'hh the same. A mighty, tenacious
rove went out Of Peters soul towards
this Wonderful new-found friend who,
tnough he had only seen, held him
WIN an irresistible churm. He had
not long TO wait before the opportu-
| nlty to indulge his love was presented.
Jesus came unexpectedly upon him
and his fishing partners, washing up
a1ter nights toll, and called him to
De al evangelist in the words of this
pronouncement: Follow me, and
Will make you to become fishers Of
men,"
For more than three years Peter
Kept most intimate company with
Jesus, devoted energetic, faithful in
the work Of winning men. Again and
again his love breaks through all con
fehtionnlitics and displays its irl-
descent beauty and strength to won.
dering fellow disciples. Love admits
MIN to an Inner circle Of mystic word
and deed Love intensfies his soul
vision, until he beholds the Son Of
the living God, clad In the homespun
OF Galilean peasant, hidden behind
the form Of q sinful man. With strong
est affirmation he confesses his faith
Love went up the snow-capped height
Of Hermon to look upon the glory Of
the promised Mcssianic kingdom. Love
penetrated the dark, awful shadow Of
IGethsemane where he saw the pro-
Rphetic agony of the cross. Oh, what
Hove poured out of this great. rugged
| soul upon Jesus. Then came tragic
N6cene. 1t were incXplicable had we
90 not been guilty. Years of won
flrOus fellowship and faithfulness are
followed by moments Of denial and re-
nunciation. How can it be? He who
had loved with intense devotion, with
burning passion, with sacrificial aban.
don, now strangely declares: II know
not the man." Why, Peter? How
can you say such thing? You have
just boasted Of your love-that If all
the world should forsake Christ you
would die for Him. He meant it, too. 1t
was no idle speculation, but he made
that profession in the company of his
Master-now the scenes have shifted.
It is Pilnte's court room-Jcsus Is on
trial. Enemies surround Him, not a
friend in sight. Peter is seized with
| fenr-horllblc. deadly fear. He Is ter.
| rificd, panicky. disoriented. Sudden
ly he Is accused Of consorting with
j the prisoner Mt the bar. He hardly
knows what he says, but weak and
captive to impulse, he denies any
knowledge Of Jesus. Three times In
II few brief. passing moments, he pro.
tests any association with Christ
Could any conduct be stranger? How
could man really love another and
act MS Peter? This Is why Jesus asked
the question OF our text.
The trinl before PLATE was ended.
Condemned as blasphemcr against
God and the temple. Jesus was led
away and crucified on Calvnry's lonely
hill. have always supposed Peter was
there lurking somewhere in the shad-
ows. Love drew him to that awful
spectacle. We know he went to the
tomb in Joseph's garden and saw the
place where the Lord had lain, but
He had risen. Almost breathlcssly he
waited for that promised meeting In
Gulilee. 1t came. The disciples. the
Master no longer with them, go fish,
ing. Back to boats nets and the sea
after all the thrilling experiences they
had shared. a night Of fruitless toll !;
skilled fishermen though they were,
morning dawns upon them. hungry,
tired perplcxed, close to despair a
stranger on the shore breaks the ST.
lencc. re asks for fish. They think
Him n chance customer. Alas. they
have no stock In trade. Oh, but hold
II minutc, John has recognized you,
. traveller. ut is the Lord" Quick
? MS flash Peter is overheard swim
ming ashore--lovc could not wait the
drag Of oars. He must see Jesus. Face
!, ~ face, Master and disciple. Jesus
: thrice asks this searching question
). "Do you love mc?" Peter, In peni
0 tencc and humility processes his love
: "Thou knowcst that l love thee
/ Three times he was permitted to de
4 clare his love. Jesus gave him a pro
I arom-.-t is that Of the shepherd The
;. question of the text is answered II
two ways:
1. A Profession. jesus wanted Pete
10 say that he loved Him. He hnt
I denied Him with false and blnsphc
nous Language. now He longed to hea
him declare his love.
!; 2. A Program. Loves language i
! deeds, ms well as worde. The prOfes