The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 508

God. Tho love !equired _of the shepherd is the latter, 11lthough the former is by no :!1eans to be despise~, but _is B;dvante.goous. (2) It is the highest order of love to <Jhri.~t. Lovest thou me 1 ThlB high honour, devotion, and attachment must be felt towards J~sus-his Person, his chare.cter, his co.use, e.nd gre.nd purposes of salvation. Christi~ ~1s Pers.on and character demands the highest devotions of the heart and soul. (3) It 1s the highest order of persO'T;al love to Ohrisl. "Lovest lh()'II,," etc. ? It must, not be merely historical, but experimental. Not the love of some one else but that of thE individual himself-the fire of his own heart, the glow of his own affedtions the enthu- siasm of his own soul, and the warm devotion of his own feelinas. There i~ much that is borrowed and ~econd-band in relig!o~ ~xperience and Christia.°'n love. Christ require, the really expenenced love of the mdmdual. (4) It is the highest order of love lo Ohrist in_ the grealesl degree. "More ~han these "-more than the other disciples love me. This doubtless has a retro8pective reference to Peter's profession of love and servos as a rebuke; but it has a prosp,lctive reference to the fulfilment of personal' love in the future, and serves as a guide and inspiration. Love to him is not only to be of the best quality, but also of the greatest quantity. It should strive to excel. Christ is to be supreme in the heart, and occupy the throne without a successful competitor. 2. In its supreme importance. (1) It is important to lhe disciple himself. (a) As the test of his Christian character. The possession or non-possession of love decides at once bis relationship to Christ. Without love he is none of bis; with it he is Christ's disciple, (b) As the sum of his Christian being. What a. man's love is, be is to Christ. Love only weighs in the Christian balance. A man may be all things, but without love he is nothing; in tbe absence of love every excellence goes for nothing. It is the sum and soul of our Christian being. (c) As the essential qualification for Christian service. It is the only basis, inspiration, and support of Christian work and usefulness. Great faith may make a great hero, great intellect may make a great scientist; but great Jove alone can make a great preacher and missionary. (2) It is important in relation to Jesus. (a) He is anxious that all should love him. Hence the question. A cold Stoic cares not for the love of others; but a loving nature craves to be loved. He who is love, end came on an errand of infinite love, is anxious to be loved of all. (b) He is anxious to know how all feel towards him, especially his disciple and candidate for apostleship. He is anxious to learn from bis own lips the true sentiment of his heart. (c) Only those who specially love him can be of special and real use to him. He wants shepherds, workers, preachers, and soldiers; but only those who love him supremely are eligible for his service, especially to be shepherds of his flock. 3. In its special trial, (1) It is tried by <Jhrist. He asks his all- important question. He is the Examiner and Judge, and be alone is fit for this office. He alone knows what is in man. (2) The trial is personal. Christ stood face to face with Peter, and asked him, "Lovest," etc.? 'l'he trial of love is still between the soul and Christ. The personal Christ comes to the soul and asks, " Lovest thou me ? " The candidate for the ministry may be questioned by the Church through some of its officials; but the real examination is that in the human heart by the ever-living and present Saviour. (3) The trial is most searching. The question is thrice repeated, almost in the same words. It rang in his ears, penetrated his heart, went through and through his whole moral being, and stirred his soul unto its very foundation. 4. In its satisfactory evidence. (1) The evidence of his inward consciousneas. He felt in his very heart that he loved him. His inmost spirit testified to this. (2) The evidence of his public confession. He emphatically answers to the q1;1estio~ "I do l?ve thee." '!'here is no hesitation, but, with every repetition of the question, his affirmative answer is growingly earnest. (3) The evidence of ~~e Jl6'1'fect !t,-n~l~ge of Je~. At eac~ answer he appeals to this. "Thou knowest, etc. H~ 1s _willing to be Judged bJ: his past conduct in spite of his denial. He bad confidence m his Judge. He ~as consc10~s of his omniscience, and still to this he confidently appeals. (4) The evidence ?f h~s modest self-d·istrml. He had more co?fide~ce in the kn~wl~dge ~f J esu.~ than 1n his own. He finally leaves the matter wi~h his J u~ge. Tbis !s un~1ke old ~~ter; there must have been some inflow of new hfe and hght. At his third repetition of the question he was grieved; if be was not, we should be incl~ed to _grieve for him •. It was human and Christian to feel so. It was the natural pru.n of. srncere l?ve ~t be_1ug questioned, its blush at being apparently doubted-a strong evidence of its smcenty.  624 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BT. JOHN. [on. xx1. 1-26,