Sermons on Various Important Subjects / Written Partly on Sundry of the More Difficult Passages in the Sacred Volume

by Andrew Lee

They no doubt all spoke the language of their hearts; all expressed the determination of their souls at the time; though they were soon convinced of their mistake—that they did not sufficiently know themselves—their own weakness—the need they stood in of divine support.

Peter, in particular, expressed the genuine feelings of his own warm and honest heart; but without the smallest intimation, that he suspected his fellow disciples; or pretended to judge them.

And is there reason to think that Christ would put him upon this work? That he would require him to judge them, and compare his love with theirs? Especially when we consider Christ's former prohibition of judging others, which he had early made a law to his disciples. "Judge not that ye be not judged :" And remember that Christians are directed, "in all lowliness of mind, to esteem others better than themselves."

Some have been disposed to think highly of themselves, and meanly of others—to say to others, "Stand by thyself; come not near me; I am holier than thou"—Some, to "compare themselves with others and exalt themselves above others." But not so the humble Christian—Not so the meek follower of Jesus. Nor is there any thing favorable to such temper and conduct to be found in the sacred volume. The spirit and tenor of the divine rule is opposed to it, and speaks persons of this character, objects of divine aversion.

This temper, and its opposite, are exemplified in the pharisee and publican, who went up to the temple to pray. "God I thank thee, that I am not as other men—or even as this publican." Thus the pharisee. But "the publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as" his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner." We know which of these met the divine approbation.

Now, is it supposable, that the Savior would put a question to Simon, which would countenance the pharasaic disposition? Or that he would require him to judge the hearts of others? Or compare himself with others, in a matter which required the knowledge of their hearts?

It seems strange that this should be thought by any one, to be the sense of Christ's question to Peter; much more that this should be the most common construction of it, by expositors.

II. In answer to our Lord's question to Simon, we find him in the text appealing to our Lord, for the reality of his love. "Thou knowest that I love thee—Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I that I love thee."

It is observable that Peter rests the whole matter on Christ's knowledge of the heart. Peter makes no plea—adduces no evidence— mentions no circumstances, evidential of his love to Christ, but refers the matter back directly to him, as the searcher of hearts and leaves it with him. Thou knowest that I love thee.

The grieved, and distressed apostle, could have mentioned many things as proofs of his love to Jesus; yea of the strength of his affection for him. He might have pleaded his profession respecting Christ, at the time when he was honored with the name of Peter—an honorable distinction, and designed to recommend him to the acceptance of his fellow disciples. [44] He might have mentioned what passed, when Christ asked the twelve, whether they "would also go away?" When many offended at his doctrine forsook him, after having followed him, and professed themselves his disciples. Simon had on that occasion made a noble profession, shewing that he was a disciple indeed—"Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure, that thou art that Christ, the son of the living God?" He might have pleaded, that he had singly dared to draw his sword against the multitude, which came to apprehend his Lord—that he had resolutely attacked them, and maintained the conflict, with the whole band, till disarmed by a command from his divine Sovereign to put up his sword into its sheath—that he had followed Christ, when most of the others forsook him and fled—had ventured into the judgment hall to attend his trial and witness the event—that though there surprised and terrified into a denial of Christ, when he saw him contrary to his expectations, resign himself to death, by the wicked hands of unbelieving Jews, aided by heathen soldiers, yet that only one kind look from his captive Lord, had brought him to repent and mourn in the bitterness of his soul, that he had not agreeably to his former purpose, died with his divine master—He might have alleged, that he had not forsaken Christ's family and friends, even when Christ hung on the cross or slept in the tomb; though his most faithful followers, had then been ready to conclude, that they had been deceived, when "they trusted that it was he who should have redeemed Israel"—that he had watched Christ's corpse, and been with the first to examine the report of his resurrection, and among the first who believed it—and that even then, at that appearance of his Lord, he only of those present, when they saw him standing on the shore, could not wait till the boat should convey him to the land, but had thrown himself into the sea, leaving the fish which they had enclosed, to continue in their own element, and swam to the shore, not perhaps, without endangering his life, that he might not delay to receive and welcome his Lord.