THE KING'S BUSINESS
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Topics for Study
"Knowing that shortly I must put oft thla my tabernacle, even as our Lord Je•u• Cll:rlst hath shewed Die." Jesus had lived and worked with the cross always in view and had glorified God in His death. Now Peter is to have the blessed privilege of following in His steps, "Follow me." ( 1 Peter 2.:21-25) ''For even hereunto were ye cnlledJ be– cause Christ ulao suffered for us, leaving us an exan1ple, that ye should follo·w his •teps; Who did no sh11, neither was gutJe found In his mouth. When he '\vns revfled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but con1n1itted himself to hh11 who judgeth righteously. Who his o'vn self bare our sins in hi• own body on the tree, that ·we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousne11s1 by ,,·hose stripes ye 'vere healed. For ye were as sheet) going astray; but are now returned unto the She1therd and Bi•hop of your souls." But Peter is anxious to know what awaits John and questions regarding him, perhaps from curiosity, perhaps from real concern. Notice Jesus' re– ply: "John Is in my hands; if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" The absolute authority of Jesus Christ Is made plain here. He owns the lambs and the sheep. He assigns men to their places,-how they are to live, how they are to die. All power Is vested In Him. He will come again, but the time of His coming is His own secret. (Acts 1: 7) "And he said onto them, It is not for you to know the thue• or the sea•ons, which the Father hath put in his own power." We have only to love and follow Him, and all will be well (John 12: 26) "If any man serve 1ne, let hint follow me; and where I a1n, there shall also my •ervant be; if any n1an serve me, him '1-Vill my Father laonor." If we are indwelt by the Spirit we will love Him (Rom. 8: 9) "If any man have not (he Spirit of Christ, he la none o( his." The church is included In the bene– diction ( Eph. 6: 24) "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity;" and the world is ex– cluded In 1 Cor. 16:22: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema."
Do Christians make mistakes in boasting of what they propose to do? What Is the best recommendation of a Christian? · How is love best manifested? Why did Jesus reply to Peter in the words of v. 22? Do you think John looked for the return of our Lord? Did Peter?
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SUGGEST'IVE COMMENT Dr. Charles A. Blanchard, President Wheaton College The first question likely to arise re· specting the meaning of this Scripture has to do with the phrase "more than these." When Jesus asked Peter it he loved Him more than these to what did He refer? There are two possible interpretations. Some would say Jesus meant to inquire "Do you love me more than these other disciples love me?" and others that He meant to ask "Do you love me more than you love these fish that you have, these boats that you own, these nets and other tackle that are yours?" I am not sure which Jesus Intended. I think He knew there would be doubt and that He Intended to cover both items and possibly Peter so understood the ques· tion. A second thought will have to do with the expression "Feed my lambs." Twice thereafter Jesus said "Feed my sheep"-but on the only occasion when He said "Do you love me more than other people or other things" He said "Feed my lambs." This suggests the thought that the care of young Chris· tians is the most important pastoral care there is. Sheep may be ted bY placing food within their reacb, but lambs have to be nourished and onlY those who are most loving are fit for this most Important work.
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