THE time when this direction was giv en to Peter, and the circumstances attending it, stamp upon it a peculiar importance. To promote the glory of God, and to render the salvation of sinners consistent with the adorable perfections of Jehovah, the divine Redeemer had already suffered and died; and having continued under the power of death the appointed time, he had risen from the sepulchre, "triumphing over death, and him who had the power of death." The mediatorial work, which this glorious Saviour had undertaken, pursuant to the covenant of redemption, being now accomplished, so far as it was to be completed by his continuance on earth in a bodily form, the once suffering but now triumphant Jesus was about to ascend to his native heaven, there to finish his work as a Saviour. At the time when he uttered the words of the text, the risen Jesus was with his disciples, at the sea of Tiberias. At his command, they cast their net into the sea, and having drawn it to land, full of great fishes, they sat down to eat with their beloved master. "When they had dined," Jesus ad MM dressed himself particularly to Peter, and said to him, three times, in quick succession, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ?" Thrice had Peter denied his Lord; and now Christ gives him an opportunity, in some measure, to repair his fault, by a triple confession. The scene was interesting, and calculated to make. a deep impression, not only on the mind of Peter, but also on the minds of the other disciples. Each time that the question was asked, the affectionate disciple replied to his master, "Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." He appealed without hesitation to the infinite knowledge of the son of God, because conscious to himself of the sincerity of his esteem. But by attending to the original, we shall find Peter's answers evince, that he had lost that self-confidence, which made him declare, a short time before, he would die with Christ, rather than deny him. A recollection of his departure from this solemn asseveration, and of the bitter regret which he consequently suffered, made him cautious what language he used. In two of the three questions, our Lord made use of a word which signifies to love ardently and supremely. Peter, in his replies, substituted a word signifying to regard, to feel friendship for another. As if Jesus had said, "Peter, dost thou love me ardently and supremely?" To which he answers, "Lord, I feel an affection for thee, I do esteem thee, but dare, "at present, say no more.' To each of the answers of this once self-confident but now humble disciple, his divine master replies by giving him a command. To the first he says, "Feed my lambs." To the other two, "Feed my sheep." I have made choice of the second of these precepts, in preference to either of the others, as * See Adam Clark's Commentary. the foundation of my present discourse, because, in the original, the word translated feed is different, in this place, from the word used in the other two verses. There was a propriety in our Lord's varying the expression, that he might convey to Peter a more perfect idea of the duty to which he called him by the command. The language is figurative, and borrowed from the care which shepherds exercise over their flocks. In allusion to this, the great Shepherd enjoins upon Peter, in the first place, to feed his lambs, and secondly, not only to feed his sheep, but to discharge towards them all the duties of a good and faithful shepherd, which is the meaning of the word, used in the verse containing the text. The injunction under consideration, though addressed primarily to Peter, was not intended for him alone. It conveys a truth applicable at the present time as well as then, and also points out a duty binding on all those who are called to act as spiritual pastors, in subordination to the great shepherd. This is evident from many passages of scripture, particularly from an exhortation contained in the first epistle of Peter. This distinguished apostle in addressing elders, uses language very similar to that contained in the text; and in adopting this language, he doubtless had reference to he command which his master had, reiteratedly, given to him. "The elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an elder, Feed the flock of God, which is among you." The words before us are adapted to the important and interesting occasion, on which we are now met in the sanctuary of the Lord; and in discoursing upon them, it is proposed, I. To make some remarks upon this truth, ob viously suggested by them, That Christ is the Shepherd of his people. II. To consider the duty of Christian ministers, so far as it is pointed out by the phrase," Feed my sheep." III. To apply the subject. I. I am to remark upon this truth, obviously suggested by the text, Christ is the Shepherd of his people. In the holy volume, the divine Redeemer is frequently represented under the character of a Shepherd; and under this interesting title, he speaks of himself sundry times, particularly in the tenth chapter of John. But in what respects may this title be applied to our glorious Lord ? 1. He finds his people in their wanderings, and brings them into his fold. In their natural state, all mankind are disposed to wander in the devious ways of sin. They depart from God, the only source of good, and stray from those paths, which alone can conduct them to happiness. Like sheep without a guide, they wander into the wilderness, and expose themselves continually to danger. Such is the native enmity of the human heart to the ever blessed Jehovah, that men would continue to stray away through life, and finally fall into the pit of destruction, did not Christ, by his Spirit, bring a part of them to see their danger, and gently lead them in the paths of righteousHis language to his people is, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.' ness. In tender pity and compassion to those who, from eternity, were ordained to be of his flock, this tender and gracious Shepherd goes in pursuit of them; |