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True Education
first at the tomb—it was not John, but Peter, who was mentioned by
Christ after His resurrection. “Tell His disciples—and Peter,” the
angel said, “that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will
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see Him.”
Mark 16:7
.
At the last meeting of Christ with the disciples by the sea, Peter,
tested three times by the question, “Do you love Me?” was restored
to his place among the Twelve. His work was appointed him; he was
to feed the Lord’s flock. Then, as His last personal direction, Jesus
said, “You follow Me.”
John 21:17, 22
. Now he could appreciate
the words. Knowing more fully both his own weakness and Christ’s
power, he was ready to trust and obey. In His strength he could
follow his Master.
At the close of his ministry, the disciple once so unready to
discern the cross counted it a joy to yield up his life for the gospel,
feeling only that to die in the same manner as his Master died was
too great an honor.
Peter’s transformation was a miracle of divine tenderness. It is
a life lesson to all who desire to follow in the steps of the Master
Teacher.
A Lesson in Love
Jesus warned, cautioned, and reproved His disciples, but neither
John, Peter, nor the other disciples left Him. Notwithstanding the re-
proofs, they chose to be with Jesus. And the Savior did not, because
of their errors, withdraw from them. If they will be disciplined and
taught by Jesus, He takes men and women as they are, with all their
faults and weaknesses, and trains them for His service.
But there was one of the Twelve to whom Christ spoke no word
of direct reproof until very near the close of His work.
Judas introduced an element of antagonism among the disciples.
In connecting with Jesus he had responded to the attraction of His
character and life. He had sincerely desired a change in himself,
and had hoped to experience this through being with Jesus. But
this desire did not become predominant. He was ruled by the hope
of selfish benefit in the worldly kingdom that he expected Christ
to establish. Though recognizing the divine power of the love of
Christ, Judas continued to cherish his own judgment, opinions,