Lovest Thou Me? by Mary Martin

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 15, 1874

Lovest Thou Me?

By Mary Martin

They had dined by the sea of Galilee with Him who “was risen from the dead.” The ardent, impetuous Peter and loving John were there, and Jesus asked Peter this brief, but very comprehensive, question, “Lovest thou me?”

After receiving such proof of superior power and love, a less sanguine person might have answered as did he: “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” Then comes the test of love: “He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” Again was the question repeated, eliciting the same reply, followed by the same injunction, “Feed my sheep.” “He saith unto him the third time . . . Lovest thou me?” and Peter answered, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

After all these protestations of love we would naturally expect to see Peter trying to find out what was this work given by the Master, and the best method of performing it; but alas for the weakness of human nature! “Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; . . . saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?” How pointed the rebuke, reminding him of his own duty. “What is that to thee? follow thou me.”

Not only to ardent Peter, centuries ago, as he sat by the deep blue Galilee, comes the test of love, but you and I if attentive listeners may hear the Saviour’s question, “Lovest thou me?” while to each is given work to do as proof of the love we profess to have.

“Feed my lambs.” Along life’s dusky pathway, where dark shadows fall, hidden in mountain gorges, panting with heat and thirst on the sandy plain, or shivering in the drenching autumn rain, scattered here and there, are the little lambs plaintively moaning. Who will come to the rescue? Where are the hearts and homes to welcome and receive them? See how they tremble with fear. Rude hands have dealt out the scanty pittance, or with unfeeling hearts “passed by on the other side.” Who for the sake of Him who “carried the lambs in his bosom” will invite the homeless and uncared-for to find shelter in their arms of love?

Across the tranquil waters and fertile plains, down through the long lapse of years, re-echo the Shepherd’s words, “Feed my sheep.” Wolves have been at work, and the sheep are scattered; many lying mangled and helpless, with their meek eyes upturned, asking for help. You who are strong of heart and hand, watching for golden opportunities, here find your life-work. He who “gave his life for the sheep” keenly feels their sufferings, and if they are neglected will one day say, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”

We have not mistaken the voice. It is surely His who “spake as never man spake”; and we see the blood-bought objects of his love and care, on dizzy heights, in slippery places, with danger and death around and beneath them. It may be only a little word that is needed by some, and for the bruised and bleeding, the tender ministrations that thoughtful, loving hearts and ready, willing hands might proffer. But the skies are sunny, and life in the valleys so pleasant, its surroundings so congenial to our taste, that the mantle of indifference is wrapped around us, or our sympathy being aroused we look around until we see some one else, and then inquire, as did Peter, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Here is work just suited to their capacity, and we are anxious that they should be performing it. We are so fearful that some one will not make use of their ten talents that we carefully wrap our one talent in a napkin, lay it aside, and then spend the time allotted for its improvement in diligently searching for ways in which others may use their larger number.

Oh, how we need the mind which was in Christ to do his Father’s will without hesitating and trying to find a substitute. Then should we eagerly listen for the Master’s voice, and gladly do his bidding. If others have ten talents where we have only one, he knows it, and we need not fear he will make a mistake in assigning to each his labor, or leave any unemployed. While from every direction we hear the cry, “Come over and help us” we may rest assured there will be work suited to the capacity of each. We need not stand idle. Many are wanted but to carry cups of cold water, and the test of Peter’s love will be the test of ours to the end of time—to prove by works the love we profess to have.

“Lovest thou me?” “Feed my lambs.” “Feed my sheep:” that (though addressed particularly to the elders, it will be true of all who are faithful) “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

MARY MARTIN.