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Christ’s Object Lessons
to withstand temptation; but in a few short hours the test came, and
with cursing and swearing he denied his Lord.
When the crowing of the cock reminded him of the words of Christ,
surprised and shocked at what he had just done he turned and looked
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at his Master. At that moment Christ looked at Peter, and beneath that
grieved look, in which compassion and love for him were blended,
Peter understood himself. He went out and wept bitterly. That look
of Christ’s broke his heart. Peter had come to the turning point, and
bitterly did he repent his sin. He was like the publican in his contrition
and repentance, and like the publican he found mercy. The look of
Christ assured him of pardon.
Now his self-confidence was gone. Never again were the old
boastful assertions repeated.
Christ after His resurrection thrice tested Peter. “Simon, son of
Jonas,” He said, “lovest thou Me more than these?” Peter did not
now exalt himself above his brethren. He appealed to the One who
could read His heart. “Lord,” he said, “Thou knowest all things; Thou
knowest that I love Thee.”
John 21:15, 17
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Then he received his commission. A work broader and more deli-
cate than had heretofore been his was appointed him. Christ bade him
feed the sheep and the lambs. In thus committing to his stewardship
the souls for whom the Saviour had laid down his own life, Christ
gave to Peter the strongest proof of confidence in his restoration. The
once restless, boastful, self-confident disciple had become subdued
and contrite. Henceforth he followed his Lord in self-denial and self-
sacrifice. He was a partaker of Christ’s sufferings; and when Christ
shall sit upon the throne of His glory, Peter will be a partaker in His
glory.
The evil that led to Peter’s fall and that shut out the Pharisee from
communion with God is proving the ruin of thousands today. There
is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as
pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most
incurable.
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Peter’s fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Self-confidence led
him to the belief that he was saved, and step after step was taken in the
downward path, until he could deny his Master. Never can we safely
put confidence in self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure
against temptation. Those who accept the Saviour, however sincere