HAVING denied the Lord, the heart of Peter must be searched out to the bottom. He had protested of his affection and his devotion, the details being fully related in the other Gospels. He had imagined a personal superiority to his brethren in these respects. He must now face facts, and answer in the presence of One who knows all things. It is a ray of light from the judgment seat of Christ.
Jesus, addressing him by his designation in nature, and omitting the name given in grace, says, “Lovest thou Me more than these?” referring unquestionably to the other disciples. He replies, “Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I am attached to Thee.” Sincerity of heart and the searching light of the Spirit of Christ exclude all thought of others, compel him to refer everything to the divine knowledge of Christ, for, in view of his denial, others might well have doubted of the reality of his affection, and impel him to use a word that meant far less than what Jesus had said.
How gracious is the answer of Jesus, “Feed My lambs!”
A second and a third time the same question is put, the last differing by the use of Peter’s own word, “Art thou attached to Me?” This cuts Peter to the heart and sweeps away the flimsy veil which would have shrouded from his eyes the self-sufficiency and self-confidence that necessitated his fall. He was consciously in the presence of One who was omniscient, and who searched him thoroughly. And at once his heart takes refuge in the omniscience that searched him, and could take knowledge of an affection implanted by grace, but which his conduct had thoroughly belied. It is an affecting picture of Israel’s sin, and of their repentance at the Lord’s return.
The heart aroused, the Lord can then commit to him the care of His saints, His lambs and sheep, to feed the former, and shepherd as well as feed the latter. But this would need not only an aroused but a subject heart, a will entirely subservient to another, an obedience even unto death. In youth and strength, independence had characterized him. In age and weakness he should glorify God in subjection, even to death, contrary to his own will, but guided by the power of another.
Meanwhile, to follow Jesus must be his and our sole concern. But how soon, and perhaps involuntarily, our thoughts turn in a spirit of emulation from their true and divine Object.
Peter, turning round, sees the loved disciple already following Jesus. He it was who leaned on His breast at supper, and was near enough to ask Him that solemn question as to the betrayal. Impetuously Peter gives expression to his thoughts, saying, “And what of this man?”
His brethren ever held an imposing place naturally in Peter’s heart. The desire to keep their esteem more than once brought their shadow between him and the glory of Christ. To do some great deed like David’s worthies, or to be the greatest, was in question among the disciples on several occasions.
The Saviour as ever, rebukes the thought severely. It is not to follow Him. But His words are couched so as to convey a deep dispensational truth. He says, “If I will that he abide until I come, what is that to thee?” The brethren gathered from this saying the mistaken, and merely natural, idea that John was not to die. Not so; but his teaching was to bridge the gulf between the Christian blessing and God’s renewed dealings with the earth in grace and manifested governmental power. The revelation of which he should be the vessel, should not only introduce the highest individual blessing of life and nature in relationship with the Father, as expressed in the beloved Son in manhood, but also should include the transitional time during which God should form anew the links of relationship with His people Israel. Indeed, while revealing the relationships of eternal life and Christian blessing as seen in the Son on high in manhood and the saints with Him at His return, the doctrine of John carries on the truth up to, throughout, and beyond the millennial scene into that of the new heavens and new earth, the eternal and new creation.
The Gospel of John shows us the Son of God on earth, eternal life in Him, and the Father revealed in and by Him. Then Jesus going away to the Father, and the Comforter coming instead. The Epistles declare that eternal life is given to us, this life being in the Son, Jesus Christ, who is the true God and eternal life. The Revelation furnishes the further links in the chain of testimony right onward to the eternal scene.
W. T. W.