Basic HTML Version
486
Humble Hero
know that I love You.” Jesus told him, “Feed My lambs.” Peter made
no vehement claim that his love was greater than that of the others.
Again Jesus applied the test: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love
Me?” The second response was like the first, free from extravagant
claims: “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him,
“Tend My sheep.”
Once more the Savior asked the testing question: “Simon, son of
Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved. He knew that his Lord
had reason to distrust him, and with an aching heart he answered,
“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Again Jesus
said, “Feed My sheep.”
Three times Peter had openly denied his Lord, and three times
Jesus pressed home that pointed question like a barbed arrow to his
wounded heart. In front of the assembled disciples Jesus revealed the
depth of Peter’s repentance and showed how thoroughly humbled
the once boasting disciple was.
Just before Peter’s fall, Jesus had said to him, “I have prayed for
you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to
Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Luke 22:32
. The transformation in
Peter was plain to see. Because of his humiliation and repentance,
[373]
Peter was better prepared than before to act as shepherd to the flock.
The first work Christ entrusted to Peter was to feed the “lambs”—
to minister to those who were young in the faith, to teach the igno-
rant, to open the Scriptures to them and educate them for usefulness
in Christ’s service. For this work his own suffering and repentance
had prepared him.
Before his fall, Peter was always ready to correct others and to
express his mind. But the converted Peter was very different. He
retained his former energy, but the grace of Christ regulated his zeal.
He could then feed the lambs of Christ’s flock as well as the sheep.
The Savior’s manner of dealing with Peter taught the disciples
to meet the sinner with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love.
Remembering his own weakness, Peter was to deal with his flock as
tenderly as Christ had dealt with him.