The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-02-02
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
PETERS RESTORATION
By HIGHT e. MOORE

| his love, yet in a word which did
not reach so high as that used by
his Master. "Yea, Lord; thou
knowest that l love thee" On the
basis of this love the Lord could
provide for the sustenance of his
flock, especially of those young in
natural or in spiritual life. There
fore, the command, "Feed my
lambs"
If love be sincere, it will not be
ashamed of frequent expression.
And the more often it is repeat
ed, the stronger the ties that bind.
The centrality of love in religion
entities it to the greatest possible
emphasis. So a second time, and
now not comparing him with the
others, but bringing out the SUI
preme relation to himself, Jesus
said, Simon, son of Jonas, lowest
thou me?" And in this second in
quiry he used the same word for
love he rad used before-express-
ing regard unclogged with earth
ly elements, pure and spiritual.
But again, unable to use that
word or unwilling to expose him
self to presumption, Peter reiter-
ated the natural love he felt:
"Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I
love thee" The sincerity of his
soul was manifest, and he could
be entrusted with the watchcare
of the flock of Christ. Hence now
the command, Feed Tor tend)
my sheep"
But shall there be set a limit
to love? Will a single expression
of the lips be sufficient where a
whole life of devotion is demand
&c More for Sin on's sake than
his own, and strikingly suggestive
of those three fearful denials,
third time Jesus said, Simon,
son of Jonas, lowest thou me-"
This time he uses the word for
love which Peter had twice used:
that love shall be explored to its
depths. its genuineness discover
ed, and its needless cxternals
brushed away 1t seems little Won
der that Peter felt somewhat
keenly the persistent probe into
his very heart. In tone of in
tenser earnestness he now replied,
'"Lord, thou knowest all things;
thou knowest that love thee" In
his Utmost being he loved his Mas
ter with an earnest, faithful love.
And with this threefold declara-
ton of love, rising each time IN
intensity. Peter is assigned the
important duty of not only feed
ing the. lambs, and tending the
sheep, but also now Of feeding the
sheep. So love is the highest quail
ification for effective Christian
work, as it is the chief link bind
ing US to God, :
g., THE CROSS BEFORE
THE CROWN =,
John FL: 1919 ~
Peter was Restored for Service.
Looking into the future Jesus
foresaw and foretold the lifelong
LOYALTY of Peter to Christ and his
cause. In vivid phrase he declared
that the apostle like his Lord
should know the pain and glory
of the cross. Let him not shrink
at the prospect of martyrdom but
lift his eyes to the higher goal
and keep in his heart the Masters
word: Follow me-"
TRUST AND LOVE
THE RISEN LORD
% Remember the Lords Res
direction. Jesus rose from the
dead. No other fact has been bet
ter proved. He lives today. ccept
him; obey him; glorify him!
(2) Remember the Lords Love.
The disciples must not hold in
awe and at distance their risen
Lord, but Irvine around him anew
the tendrills of their love. Love
is the mightiest motive-power in
the world.
90 Remember the Lord s
knowledge. "Thou knowest," was
Peters refuge under the search
ing inquiry of the Lord. Does ne
not know US all altogether?
az Remember the l. or d s
Flock. He loves them all and
yearns for their love. And ne
wishes to entrust them to none
but shepherds of love who will
feed and lead them in love.
90 Remember the Lords Com
mand. "Follow me-" said Jesus to
Peter. And the apostle obeyed IN
life and death. The same word
comes to us. Shall we be faithful?