"Thou Knowest that I Love Thee."
By Philanthropos
WHAT a world of instruction is contained in the answer of Peter to the thrice-repeated question of Jesus, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." How did Jesus know that he loved him? It was but a few days since he had deserted his Master in a time of the greatest danger, and denied him with oaths. Many of the present day would have pronounced him a hypocrite, and no better than Judas. How did Jesus know that Peter loved him? "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." Peter had "wept bitterly" over his sin, and had been forgiven. Beware, Christian, how thou findest fault with thy erring brother. It may be, that he has wept as bitterly over his fall, as did Peter over his. David committed two of the most atrocious crimes known to Jewish law; and yet, after his repentance, we never hear that he was not "the man after God's own heart." Be kind to thy brother. Try to help him upon his feet again. It can never injure you; and it may be the means of saving his soul.