Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

himself? What says Peter? "He shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead." Did he rise with the same body that died? "Behold," said he, my hands and my feet, and see that it is I myself. Handle me and see: a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." Did his body undergo any change before his ascension? Will things in a future state be possible that are not necessary? We know but in part. And the sacred writers prophesy but in part.

-But "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God."-Let me be one of the number to whom he shall say "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

AUGUST 1.-" So when they had dined''

-.

John xxi. 18.

-THEY did not, we presume, continue long at table. Table, indeed, they had none. The place was the sea-side. The viands, bread and fish. The fare, dressed and served, coarsely. Yet part of it was miraculously provided before they landed; and part of it supplied from the wonderful capture they_had just made-Here were seven Apostles-and the Lord of angels. Who, then, would not have been at the homely meal? Who, having any piety, or any wisdom, would not have preferred the entertainmentthus dignified-however humble-to the sumptuous feast of Belshazzar, or Ahasuerus? Where there is much provision for the flesh, there is little repast

for the mind. And this is commonly found after the meal. It has often been lamented, that the best part of society should be expected to withdraw, as soon as dinner is ended: but females may be assured, that, with few exceptions, they sustain no loss by their removal.

- But here, when they had dined, discourse followed, which has been deemed worthy the page of inspiration; and was written for our learning and admonition. It commenced with an enquiry. "Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again, the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."

The question was put to Peter, because of his late conduct. Instead, therefore, of shewing any preeminence in him, it implied his fall, and tended to his humiliation. This, and this alone, was the reason why our Lord thus freely, yet tenderly, addressed him in the presence of his brethren-It was necesssary both for his sake and for their sakes.

The question was first put comparatively-Lovest thou me more than these? There is something ambiguous and equivocal in the expression. Did our Lord, by these, refer to the fish, the nets, the boat, his present occupation and profit? Doddridge says this is a forced and frigid sense. But this does not appear. By this calling, Peter had gained his subsistence he might naturally be attached to it— and feel a degree of reluctance at leaving it, without

any other means of support in view-and, as our Lord would be freely served, he enquires whether Peter was willing to resign all-and go a-fishing no more-and be wholly engaged in his service.-Or did he point to the rest of the disciples, when he said, Lovest thou me more than these ?-i. e., more than these thy brethren love me? To this, Whitby objects; because it would be impossible for Peter to answer such an enquiry; as he could not know the hearts of others, and compare them with his own. But the question refers not to Peter's knowledge, but to his opinion. He had already expressed a degree of self-preference, as well as self-confidence, when he said, "Though all should be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended"-and he had now done more than the other disciples, in swimming to shore, to reach him first-" Am I, then," says Jesus, "to suppose that thou lovest me more than these ?" Peter's reply shews his improvement— "I have done with judging others-and I say nothing of the degree of my love-but thou knowest the reality."

-It was thrice renewed. Thrice is used as a kind of perfect number. In Peter's Vision, the thing was done thrice, to render it the more observable. There is little doubt, however, that our Saviour alluded to the repetition of his offence-and the forewarning he had received-"Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice."

Peter, when asked the question the third time, was grieved-This grief was not anger at the Saviour's conduct; but pain, to think that he had rendered his love to so dear a Master suspicious; and fear, also as he knew he never spoke in vain-that there was a cause for this additional enquiry, and that it intimated an apprehension of some fresh peril. This sensibility shewed a good frame of mind.

-To To all the enquiries he replies, without a moment's hesitation, and addresses himself, in each

instance, to the Saviour's own knowledge, with an additional force in the last appeal-" Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love theeI do not say, I shall never yield to temptation again— Lord, preserve me! And I wonder not that those who can only judge from outward appearance, think unfavourably of me, after all that I have done. But thou seest the heart." We ought to stand clear with men; but it is a peculiar satisfaction, when we are mis-judged of our fellow-creatures, to know that our witness is in heaven, and our record is on high.

-After every answer, our Lord commands him. to feed his lambs, and his sheep. Here, again, a desperate cause wants to find a proof of Peter's supremacy. But he is not told to lord it over all the other shepherds, but to do the work of a pastor himself the very same thing which Peter, too, enjoins upon others-"Feed the flock of God that is among you." Yea, instead of his being exalted above his brethren, he is again reproved and abased. They had not forfeited their charge; but he had; and it was necessary to renew it. And, therefore, now he is re-converted, he is re-commissioned. If a servant had offended, and forfeited his place, it would not be enough for the master to say, I forgive thee, but I can no more trust thee, or employ theenothing would be deemed a full restoration, but reemployment.

are

Two things may be observed here. First, the difference there is among the Lord's people. There not only sheep, but lambs-These mean, new converts, and weak believers. These are not to be disregarded. He does not despise the day of small things and he tells those who are strong, to bear the infirmities of the weak.-Secondly, we see what the Lord requires, as the principle of his service"If you love me, Peter, feed my lambs, feed my sheep-I wish you to do nothing for me, unless you do it from love-This alone will render your work

[blocks in formation]

your delight; and carry you through all its difficulties -Love is strong as death." And while he requires the love, as the principle of the service; he requires the service, as the proof of the love. "You cannot shew your love to me personally; shew it relatively. I have a cause-endeavour to promote it. I have followers-aid them-and inasmuch as ye do it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye shall do it unto me."

Ah! this love, O my soul, is the grand thing! Without it, whatever be my religious pretensions, I am nothing. Let me put my name in the place of Peter's; and suppose the Lord Jesus asking me this question-Dost thou love me?

"Lord, it is my chief complaint,

"That my love is weak and faint;

"Yet I love Thee, and adore ;

"O for grace, to love Thee more!"

AUG. 2.-" Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thine hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God." John xxi. 18, 19.

THIS was another part of his discourse," when they had dined." He had enjoined Peter his doing work, and now he appoints him his suffering work. In such a world as this, doing well and bearing ill are commonly connnected-In the first days of Christianity they were inseparable.

The representation may be applid to the dif ference there is between youth and age. The glory

« ElőzőTovább »