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Peter was naturally forward and impulsive； and Satan had taken advantage of these characteristics to overthrow him。 Just before the fall of Peter； Jesus had said to him； 〃Satan hath desired to have you； that he may sift you as wheat： but I have prayed for thee； that thy faith fail not： and when thou art converted； strengthen thy brethren。〃 Luke 22：31； 32。 That time had now come； and the transformation in Peter was evident。 The close； testing questions of the Lord had not called out one forward； self…sufficient reply； and because of his humiliation and repentance； Peter was better prepared than ever before to act as shepherd to the flock。
The first work that Christ entrusted to Peter on restoring him to the ministry was to feed the lambs。 This was a work in which Peter had little experience。 It would require great care and tenderness； much patience and perseverance。 It called him to minister to those who were young in the faith； to teach the ignorant； to open the Scriptures to them； and to educate them for usefulness in Christ's service。 Heretofore Peter had not been fitted to do this； or even to understand its importance。 But this was the work which Jesus now called upon him to do。 For this work his own experience of suffering and repentance had prepared him。
Before his fall； Peter was always speaking unadvisedly； from the impulse of the moment。 He was always ready to correct others； and to express his mind； before he had a clear comprehension of himself or of what he had to say。 But the converted Peter was very different。 He retained his former fervor； but the grace of Christ regulated his zeal。 He was no longer impetuous； self…confident； and self…exalted； but calm；
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self…possessed； and teachable。 He could then feed the lambs as well as the sheep of Christ's flock。
The Saviour's manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for him and for his brethren。 It taught them to meet the transgressor with patience； sympathy； and forgiving love。 Although Peter had denied his Lord； the love which Jesus bore him never faltered。 Just such love should the undershepherd feel for the sheep and lambs committed to his care。 Remembering his own weakness and failure； Peter was to deal with his flock as tenderly as Christ had dealt with him。
The question that Christ had put to Peter was significant。 He mentioned only one condition of discipleship and service。 〃Lovest thou Me？〃 He said。 This is the essential qualification。 Though Peter might possess every other； yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful shepherd over the Lord's flock。 Knowledge； benevolence； eloquence； gratitude； and zeal are all aids in the good work； but without the love of Jesus in the heart； the work of the Christian minister is a failure。
Jesus walked alone with Peter； for there was something which He wished to communicate to him only。 Before His death； Jesus had said to him； 〃Whither I go； thou canst not follow Me now； but thou shalt follow Me afterwards。〃 To this Peter had replied； 〃Lord； why cannot I follow Thee now？ I will lay down my life for Thy sake。〃 John 13：36； 37。 When he said this； he little knew to what heights and depths Christ's feet would lead the way。 Peter had failed when the test came； but again he was to have opportunity to prove his love for Christ。 That he might be strengthened for the final test of his faith； the Saviour opened to him his future。 He told him that after living a life of usefulness； when age was telling upon his strength； he would indeed follow his Lord。 Jesus said； 〃When thou wast young； thou girdedst thyself； and walkedst whither thou wouldest： but when thou shalt be old； thou shalt stretch forth thy hands； and another shall gird thee； and carry thee whither thou wouldest not。 This spake He； signifying by what death he should glorify God。〃
Jesus thus made known to Peter the very manner of his death； He even foretold the stretching forth of his hands upon the cross。 Again He bade His disciple； 〃Follow Me。〃 Peter was not disheartened by the revelation。 He felt willing to suffer any death for his Lord。
Heretofore Peter had known Christ after the flesh； as many know Him now； but he was no more to be thus limited。 He knew Him no more as he had known Him in his association with Him in humanity。
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He had loved Him as a man； as a heaven…sent teacher； he now loved Him as God。 He had been learning the lesson that to him Christ was all in all。 Now he was prepared to share in his Lord's mission of sacrifice。 When at last brought to the cross； he was； at his own request； crucified with his head downward。 He thought it too great an honor to suffer in the same way as his Master did。
To Peter the words 〃Follow Me〃 were full of instruction。 Not only for his death； but for every step of his life； was the lesson given。 Hitherto Peter had been inclined to act independently。 He had tried to plan for the work of God； instead of waiting to follow out God's plan。 But he could gain nothing by rushing on before the Lord。 Jesus bids him； 〃Follow Me。〃 Do not run ahead of Me。 Then you will not have the hosts of Satan to meet alone。 Let Me go before you； and you will not be overcome by the enemy。
As Peter walked beside Jesus； he saw that John was following。 A desire came over him to know his future； and he 〃saith to Jesus； Lord； and what shall this man do？ Jesus saith unto him； If I will that he tarry till I come； what is that to thee？ follow thou Me。〃 Peter should have considered that his Lord would reveal to him all that it was best for him to know。 It is the duty of everyone to follow Christ； without undue anxiety as to the work assigned to others。 In saying of John； 〃If I will that he tarry till I come；〃 Jesus gave no assurance that this disciple should live until the Lord's second coming。 He merely asserted His own supreme power； and that even if He should will this to be so； it would in no way affect Peter's work。 The future of both John and Peter was in the hands of their Lord。 Obedience in following Him was the duty required of each。
How many today are like Peter！ They are interested in the affairs of others； and anxious to know their duty； while they are in danger of neglecting their own。 It is our work to look to Christ and follow Him。 We shall see mistakes in the lives of others； and defects in their character。 Humanity is encompassed with infirmity。 But in Christ we shall find perfection。 Beholding Him； we shall become transformed。
John lived to be very aged。 He witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem； and the ruin of the stately temple；a symbol of the final ruin of the world。 To his latest days John closely followed his Lord。 The burden of his testimony to the churches was； 〃Beloved； let us love one another；〃 〃he that dwelleth in love； dwelleth in God； and God in him。〃 1 John 4：7； 16。
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Peter had been restored to his apostleship； but the honor and authority he received from Christ had not given him supremacy over his brethren。 This Christ had made plain when in answer to Peter's question； 〃What shall this man do？〃 He had said； 〃What is that to thee