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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 3
fixed upon his Master. He read in that gentle countenance deep pity
and sorrow; but there was no anger there.
Peter was conscience-smitten; his memory was aroused; he re-
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called to mind his promise of a few short hours before, that he would
go to prison or to death for his Lord. He remembered his grief when
the Saviour told him in the upper chamber that he would deny his
Master thrice that same night. Peter had just declared that he knew not
Jesus, but he now realized with bitter grief how well his Lord knew
him, and how accurately he had read his heart, the falseness of which
was unknown even to himself. He groaned in spirit as he realized that
not only was his Master enduring the bitterest humiliation at the hands
of his enemies, but he was suffering additional dishonor at the hands
of one of his disciples, who had forsaken and refused to acknowledge
him in the hour of his trial.
The look of Christ conveyed volumes to the repentant Peter. He
read in that glance sorrow, love, and pardon. A tide of memories rushed
over him. He remembered the Saviour’s tender mercy, his kindness
and long-suffering, the patience with which he dealt with his followers.
He remembered the caution of Jesus to him: “Simon, behold, Satan
hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have
prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” He reflected with horror upon
his base ingratitude, his falsehood and perjury. He looked once more
at his Master, and saw a sacrilegious hand raised to smite him in the
face. Unable to longer endure the scene, he rushed, heart-broken, from
the hall.
He pressed on in solitude and darkness, he knew and cared not
whither. At last he found himself in the garden of Gethsemane, where
a short time before he had slept while the Saviour wrestled with the
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powers of darkness. The suffering face of his Lord, stained with bloody
sweat and convulsed with anguish, rose before him. He remembered
with bitter remorse that Jesus had wept and agonized in prayer alone.
While those who should have sustained him in that trying hour were
sleeping. He remembered his solemn charge: “Watch and pray, that
ye enter not into temptation.” The scene of a few short hours before
came vividly to his mind. He witnessed again the tears and groans of
Jesus. It was torture to his bleeding heart to know that he had added
the heaviest burden to the Saviour’s humiliation and grief. He fell