Faithful Under-Shepherd
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Christ mentioned to Peter only one condition of service—“Lovest
thou Me?” This is the essential qualification. Though Peter might
possess every other, yet without the love of Christ he could not be
a faithful shepherd over the flock of God. Knowledge, benevolence,
eloquence, zeal—all are essential in the good work; but without the
love of Christ in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a
failure.
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The love of Christ is not a fitful feeling, but a living principle,
which is to be made manifest as an abiding power in the heart. If the
character and deportment of the shepherd is an exemplification of the
truth he advocates, the Lord will set the seal of His approval to the
work. The shepherd and the flock will become one, united by their
common hope in Christ.
The Saviour’s manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for him
and his brethren. Although Peter had denied his Lord, the love which
Jesus bore him had never faltered. And as the apostle should take up
the work of ministering the word to others, he was to meet the trans-
gressor with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. Remembering
his own weakness and failure, he was to deal with the sheep and lambs
committed to his care as tenderly as Christ had dealt with him.
Human beings, themselves given to evil, are prone to deal unten-
derly with the tempted and the erring. They cannot read the heart; they
know not its struggle and its pain. Of the rebuke that is love, of the
blow that wounds to heal, of the warning that speaks hope, they have
need to learn.
Throughout his ministry, Peter faithfully watched over the flock
entrusted to his care, and thus proved himself worthy of the charge
and responsibility given him by the Saviour. Ever he exalted Jesus of
Nazareth as the Hope of Israel, the Saviour of mankind. He brought
his own life under the discipline of the Master Worker. By every means
within his power he sought to educate the believers for active service.
His godly example and untiring activity inspired many young men of
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promise to give themselves wholly to the work of the ministry. As time
went on, the apostle’s influence as an educator and leader increased;
and while he never lost his burden to labor especially for the Jews,
yet he bore his testimony in many lands and strengthened the faith of
multitudes in the gospel.