p. 181 | LOVEST THOU ME by E. Goodrich

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 27, 1859

“LOVEST THOU ME.”

By E. Goodrich

Thrice is this question asked by the Saviour, and thrice is it answered in the affirmative by Peter to whom it is directed. And each time that it is answered, the Saviour enjoins upon Peter that he should feed his lambs or sheep. The Saviour did not ask the question for the purpose of ascertaining whether Peter loved him or not; this he already knew.

He knew that he loved him; and knowing this, he asked him the question. The object for which he asked the question was to solemnly impress the mind of Peter with a proper understanding and a realizing sense of the great work in which he was engaged, namely, that of preaching to and saving souls. The Saviour wished to make the love that Peter had for him available in sustaining him while preaching to the flock of God, and this he did by calling his attention to the fact that he loved him, by virtue of which love he enjoined on him to feed both lambs and sheep.

To illustrate, if we were to turn our attention to two loving brothers, whose hearts are knit together as were the hearts of Jonathan and David, and behold them as disease fastens upon one, and he is laid upon the bed of death, and see him as his friends gather around his bed-side, and weeping children wait for his last, dying blessing, and see him as the cold sweat of death gathers upon his brow, and his eyes glisten with the glow of departing life, and hear him as he turns to his loving brother, saying, brother, lovest thou me? and hear this question thrice repeated and as often answered by the loving brother saying, yea I love thee, and each time hear the dying brother say, then take care of my little ones, undoubtedly we should realize how ardently the father loved his children, and how solemn the charge to take care of his orphans. This is a kind of allegory, yet but a faint resemblance of the great Messiah, his love to his children, and his final charge to Peter to feed his sheep. The Saviour had been with his disciples three years and a half, speaking as never man spake, preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom of God and opening to them the word and way of life. He had chosen them out of the world and sent them forth to preach the gospel to every creature.

He had prayed most devoutly to the Father that he would sanctify them through his truth, and he had promised them the Comforter, who should bring all things to their remembrance and show them things to come. He had even been crucified, but now had arisen from the dead, and having been with them for a time (preaching the kingdom) he was about to take his final leave and go to the Father. And O how his heart yearned over his little ones who should believe on him through preaching, and be exposed to the wiles of Satan and the roughness of the way! O how solemn and interesting both the occasion and theme upon which the Saviour was speaking. And it seems as though he took advantage of every facility of impressing upon the mind of Peter the truth concerning his solemn and heaven-ordained mission. And although the lesson is given to Peter, yet it cannot be supposed for a moment that it belongs to him alone. No, nor even to the apostles who were with him, nor yet, even to those who labor in word and in doctrine. True, it belongs primarily to these, yet it belongs to the entire church, whose business is to help carry forward and sustain the preaching of the word.

The same lesson is taught by the Saviour when he says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my disciples, ye have done it unto me.” Could we but realize this, what an incentive to forbearance, to virtue, yea to every good word and work would it be? Could we but feel that every kind look given, every encouraging word spoken, even to the least saint, and that every sacrifice of feeling or of means that we make for the cause of Jesus is recorded in heaven as done directly to our Master, how careful would we be lest we should offend or neglect the wants of the little ones that believe on Jesus. And how much in earnest would we be in sustaining and advancing the cause of our dear divine Master. “Lovest thou me?” May this question be asked by and be responded to in each heart. And may the solemn injunction, “Feed my sheep,” be realized by all, both ministers and members, especially those looking for the immediate return of their Master.

E. GOODRICH.

Edenboro, Pa.