Only a Little Word

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 29, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 50.

Only a Little Word

How much meaning is often thrown into one little word in the Scriptures. Take, for instance, the little word “also” in the question asked Peter by the damsel who kept the door of the high priest’s palace, “Art not thou also one of this Man’s disciples?” John 18:17. Peter went in with John. Verse 16. John before this had gone in with Jesus. Verse 15. His going in with Jesus had revealed to the girl that John was Christ’s disciple. She did not need to ask John the question; his acts revealed his discipleship. All this is shown in that little word “also.” “Art thou also, as well as this man with thee, this Man’s disciple?” Had Peter been with Jesus, he would not have denied his Lord. When he had to be asked the question to ascertain his discipleship, he was in danger of falling. It is just as true in the case of every one. When our discipleship of Christ can only be ascertained by direct inquiry, it is unworthy of the name; it ought in honesty to be denied.