May 31

15 ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus said to Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He Simeon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou I saith unto him, Feed my Lamb. me more than these? He saith unto him, Yes, 16 He saith to him again the second time,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 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.

18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkest 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.

19 This spake he,}}{(g)iving by what each he shalt, glorify God. And when he had spoken, he, he saith unto him, Follow me.

20 Then Peter, turning afloat, seeh the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast, a supper, and saw, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that I scribe, shoel, not die, yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die, but, if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

"Love is the heart of religion, the fat of the offering: it is the grace which Christ inquires most after—'Peter, lovest thou Me?' Love makes all our services acceptable—it is the musk that perfumes them."—Watson.

"Not John, or Matthew, or the disciples collectively; but thou, Peter— lovest thou Me? Jesus' eye fastens on him, and again and again, and yet again He presses the question: 'Simon Peter, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?' How the words searched and tested and grieved the disciple! There was no escape for him. It was as if he stood before the burning throne of judgment. So it will be with every disciple. Religion is pre-eminently a personal thing. The faith and virtue of others will save no man. Each for himself must heed, believe, obey, love our Lord Jesus Christ, or die in his sins. 'THOU!' How the eye, and voice, and penetrating words of Jesus on the judgment throne will search and test every soul of us!"—J. M. Sherwood, D. D.

Closet Promise.—He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.—John xiv. 21

"Tested in poverty, proven in wealth; Chastened in sickness, tested in health; Triumphant by grace—made perfectly free, Arms 'of His mighty love' clasped around me; Love Him? Yes, love Him!—no language can tell How much I love Jesus who saved me from hell! Crosses of daily life, watching and prayer,

Crown in bright glory expecting to wear; Love Him? Yes, love Him! O, who could withhold Loving the Saviour who redeemed us when 'said!' Tried on the rugged cross, He rescued my soul— Shed out His precious blood—maketh me whole!" "Glory to God in the highest!"