“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.” Joh 21: 17.
In this verse the Lord seeks to ascertain Peter’s love to Him and Peter reply was: “Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee.” Christ was pleased with his answer in the affirmative. The Pharisees and all graceless folk never gave expression in this manner. They do not believe that the Lord knows all things for if they did they would tremble, “for the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16: 7. The words in 1 Corinthians verse 22, are very solemn “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.”
What Paul said when writing to the Hebrews we find very comforting when we are low in our mind and feel as Jacob of old did when he said: “all these things are against me.” “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Heb. 12: 6.
O, the wonderful strength of Peter’s faith which enabled him to say: “thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.” Peter was sure that Christ had loved him long before he was born. It is very like what God said to his dear people through the prophet Jeremiah: “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31: 3.
Dear friends, see that you will be praying for grace to enable you to follow Christ until your last breath in this world. Indeed I would like to say to you as the psalmist said:
“Wait on the Lord, and be thou strong,
and he shall strength afford
Unto thine heart; yea do thou wait
I say, upon the Lord.
Psalms 27: 14.
Oh no, it is not enough to follow the Lord part of the way. Remember that Jesus said: “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt. 24: 13. Those who go back, go back unto perdition. In a day like ours we should be as bold as Jacob was when he said: “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Gen. 32: 26. Strive to ensure that Christ may give you the “white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Rev. 2: 17.
The Lord Jesus Christ knew from all eternity what he had to suffer and endure for His beloved church before ever leaving the bosom of the Father, where he basked in His love. He who knew that the sword of justice was still asleep in its scabard, would one day hear the solemn voice of God the Father saying: “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow.” Zec. 13: 7. Oh, the amazing love of God the Father to poor sinners when he gave this command.
Oh, what a faithful lover of the Lord blessed Ruth was. It is obvious from God’s word that He captivated her heart and soul at a comparatively young age — hence the spontaneous prayer: “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee.” Ruth 1: 16.
We should be thankful that the Old Testament as well as the New afford us a long catalogue of those who feared His name and stood fast in the great day of battle. The great day of Judgment will manifest all this. His own people will then hear from his own mouth: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25: 34.
As the time is getting near the centenary of our beloved church we cannot but love and admire the God-honouring stand taken by Rev. D. Macfarlane and Rev. D. Macdonald along with the Rev. Neil MacIntyre who was at the time a divinity student. These, along with many other ministers and elders since that time, stood faithful to Christ and His Cause in the world to their last breath. No sooner had Mr Macfarlane placed his historic protest on the table than Dr. Rainy was on his feet seeking to appoint a committee to deal with Mr Macfarlane’s protest. It is likely that he had some other scheme in view, but godly Mr Macfarlane was outside the door of the Assembly before Dr. Rainy had sat down.
One day a friend, we believe with tears, told the Lord Jesus Christ: “He whom thou lovest is sick.” John 11: 3. Before many days had passed it was the news of Lazarus’s death that was circulating in the towns and villages. After four days Jesus went to see for Himself where his body was laid. As he fastened his eyes on the grave of one whom he loved, he cried with divine authority: “Lazarus come forth.” That Lazarus did come forth gives adequate proof of Christ being equal with the Father. Lazarus came forth bound with the grave clothes. While clothed with these grave clothes he could not associate with the other disciples — hence the Lord’s command: “Loose him and let him go”. This was done. Before long we read of Lazarus as one who sat at the table with Him who had delivered him from so great a death.
His sisters were also friends of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mary brought a box of very costly ointment and poured it on the Saviour’s feet. Wicked Judas Iscariot found fault, but the Lord rebuked him with the words: “Let her alone, against the day of my burying hath she kept this.” She sat at his feet weeping and with such God honouring tears she washed the Saviour’s feet and wiped them with the hair of her head. Oh to be like her. With it all she was demonstrating the words of Peter: “Thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee.”
“O Lord, all that I do desire
is still before mine eye;
And of my heart the secret groans
Not hidden are from thee.”
Psalm 38: 9