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From Heaven With Love
that I love Thee,” Jesus bade him, “Feed My lambs.” There was
no vehement assurance that his love was greater than that of his
brethren.
Again Jesus applied the test: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou
Me?” The second response was like the first, free from extravagant
assurance: “Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” Jesus said
to him, “Feed My sheep.”
Once more the Saviour put the trying question: “Simon, son of
Jonas, lovest thou Me?” Peter was grieved. He knew that his Lord
had cause to distrust him, and with an aching heart he answered,
“Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.”
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. Before the assembled disciples Jesus revealed the
depth of Peter’s repentance and showed how thoroughly humbled
was the once boasting disciple.
Just before Peter’s fall, Jesus had said to him, “I have prayed for
thee that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen
thy brethren.”
Luke 22:32
. The transformation in Peter was evident.
Because of his humiliation and repentance, Peter was better prepared
than before to act as shepherd to the flock.
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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 fervor, but the grace of Christ regulated his zeal.
He could then feed the lambs as well as the sheep of Christ’s flock.
The Saviour’s manner of dealing with Peter taught the disciples
to meet the transgressor 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.