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Converted at Last, November 12
John 21:15-19
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
John 21:17
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This heart-searching question was necessary in the case of Peter, and it is
necessary in our case. The work of restoration can never be thorough unless the
roots of evil are reached. Again and again the shoots have been clipped, while
the root of bitterness has been left to spring up and defile many; but the very
depth of the hidden evil must be reached....
When, the third time, Christ said to Peter, “Lovest thou me?” the probe
reached the soul center. Self-judged, Peter fell upon the Rock, saying, “Lord,
thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”
This is the work before every soul who has dishonored God, and grieved
the heart of Christ, by a denial of truth and righteousness. If the tempted soul
endures the trying process, and self does not awake to life to feel hurt and abused
under the test, that probing knife reveals that the soul is indeed dead to self, but
alive unto God.
Some assert that if a soul stumbles and falls, he can never regain his position;
but the case before us contradicts this.... In committing to his stewardship the
souls for whom He had given His life, Christ gave to Peter the strongest evidence
of His confidence in his restoration. And he was commissioned to feed not only
the sheep, but the lambs—a broader and more delicate work than had hitherto
been appointed him
Peter was now humble enough to understand the words of Christ, and without
further questioning, the once restless, boastful, self-confident disciple became
subdued and contrite. He followed his Lord indeed—the Lord he had denied.
The thought that Christ had not denied and rejected him was to Peter a light and
comfort and blessing. He felt that he could be crucified from choice, but it must
be with his head downward. And he who was so close a partaker of Christ’s
sufferings will also be a partaker of His glory when He shall “sit upon the throne
of his glory.
[323]
26
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1152
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27
Ibid
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