696
The Desire of Ages
to express his mind, before he had a clear comprehension of himself
or of what he had to say. But the converted Peter was very different.
He retained his former fervor, but the grace of Christ regulated his
zeal. He was no longer impetuous, self-confident, and self-exalted, but
calm, self-possessed, and teachable. He could then feed the lambs as
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well as the sheep of Christ’s flock.
The Saviour’s manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for him
and for his brethren. It taught them to meet the transgressor with
patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. Although Peter had denied
his Lord, the love which Jesus bore him never faltered. Just such love
should the undershepherd feel for the sheep and lambs committed to
his care. Remembering his own weakness and failure, Peter was to
deal with his flock as tenderly as Christ had dealt with him.
The question that Christ had put to Peter was significant. He
mentioned only one condition of discipleship and service. “Lovest
thou Me?” He said. 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 Lord’s flock. Knowledge, benevolence,
eloquence, gratitude, and zeal are all aids in the good work; but without
the love of Jesus in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a
failure.
Jesus walked alone with Peter, for there was something which He
wished to communicate to him only. Before His death, Jesus had
said to him, “Whither I go, thou canst not follow Me now; but thou
shalt follow Me afterwards.” To this Peter had replied, “Lord, why
cannot I follow Thee now? I will lay down my life for Thy sake.”
John 13:36, 37
. When he said this, he little knew to what heights and
depths Christ’s feet would lead the way. Peter had failed when the
test came, but again he was to have opportunity to prove his love for
Christ. That he might be strengthened for the final test of his faith, the
Saviour opened to him his future. He told him that after living a life of
usefulness, when age was telling upon his strength, he would indeed
follow his Lord. Jesus said, “When thou wast young, thou girdedst
thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be
old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and
carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake He, signifying by
what death he should glorify God.”