The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-06-22

&A ~ sM place in the con-
vent through the years, and now that
she had come back 1t was awaiting
her She slipped back into her old
u position and few knew she had ever
s gone away.
B$ The late DR.. ]. Wilbur Chapman
! used to tell this story to illustrate
Gods gracious Wv Of restoring his
erring saints. In our text we have
one OF the great scriptural examples
of such gracious restoration, from
which all may take comfort.
Christ inquiries Of Peter, "Simon.
son of Jonas, lowest thou me more
than these?" Peter had protested that
though all others might forsake
Christ. he would never leave Him.
But he had shown. too sadly, that he
dld not love his Master "more than
these." How Christs question must
nave rebuked him And in his reply
It IS to be noted that all the old spirit
Of boasting is gone and there is no
claim to love Christ more than others
love Him.
Some Searching Questions.
Peters humility is shown In another
way. In Christ's question, the word
used for love, in the original. indl-
Gates an unselfish love which expects
no return-tlc love of friendship.
When Peter replies, he uses lower
word for love, indicating personal,
cilnging affection which seeks return.
III other words, he hnS ceased to
Doast Of his love, not only as to guam
utE, but also rs to quality. He only
dhreS to assert he is fond Of Jesus =.
Moreover, the third time Jesus in
CURED as to Simon's love, lie used
the same word, in the original, which
Peter had been using, as If to say
'Arc YOU sure you have even this
lower kind Of love, that you are even
fond Of me?" No wonder Peter was
grieved when Christ said unto him
the third time, "lovest thou me?" He
can only reply: Lord, thou know
est all things: thou knowest thnt 1
love thee" Peter feels he has so
wing his love that only
hs 10 knows all things, can
lju' not lose sight of the
grace u....-.ying the searching ques-
tions of Christ. Thrice had Peter de-
MED Him in public, and he is here
given the privilege Of thrice publicly
confcssing Him.
But our text deals not only with
Peters confession. hut also with his
commission, Feed my lambs" Indeed,
after both the second and third con-
.essions. Christ says: Feed Or. v.
.enD my sheep" These are the lambs
and sheep for whom the Great Shep-
hOt
His love for Peter, and Of the conf.
1ence He reposcs In the once errlng
disciple, that He will commit to his
care those who are SO precious to
Him! Christ had said to Peter be-
fore his fail: "When thou art con
rerted, strengthen thy brethren" Now
that Peter has been converted, or
turned, and knows his own weakness,
he Is preparing to help others. 1t
has been beautifully said: "When
brought to nothing. lie can use us
in our nOthingness, and when he can
use us, He will"
The Privilege of Martyrdom.
There is still another way in which
ChriSts grace was manifested toward
Simon on the occasion we are consid-
SElllS, hlluOuSn IL is SOIncllnCS nor
appreciated. After the third confes-
sion, Jesus said: "When thou vast
young thou girdedst thyself. and walk
edst whittier thou wouldest but when
thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch
forth thy hands, and another shall
grid thee, and carry thee whittier
thou wouldest not" John explains:
"This spoke he, signifying By what
death he should glorify God" Tradi-
ton tells us that Peter was cruciticd
aead downward. since he did not feel
worthy to be upright on his cross as
was his Lord. Not all would covet
such death, but it Is to be recalled
that Peter had boastcd Of his willing
ness to die for Christ ana then had
miserably failed. How he must have
appreciated the opportunity Of making
good even at this point!
The nun in the story only got back
her position, but Peter was advanced
from being fisher Of men" to be-
Ing shepherd of the flock of God,
who shall receive the Grown Of
glory" and a martyr. who shall re-.
;eive the "crown Of llfe." With what
new meaning may we sing: HE re-
storeth my soul /"