EPC Australia

This is another part of the discourse "when they had dined." It is the reproof of Peter, who, though recovered from his fall, and recommissioned to his office, was not faultless. Who can understand his errors?

The case was this. As soon as our Lord had tried Peter's love, and predicted his death, he said unto him, "Follow me." This is to be taken literally; for though it might be intended as a symbol, yet he now arose from his seat, and walking away from the company, he told Peter to come after him; probably wishing to have some communication with him apart. Peter obeyed. But John, seeing this, and fearing that our Lord was departing, and would take Peter along with him, could not remain where he was; and so he followed them, silent and anxious, and perhaps weeping. Peter, turning round, sees him, and asks, "Lord, and what shall this man do?" It is probable this arose partly from an affectionate concern for his companion; and, considering the peculiar friendship there was between them, we might have considered the question as excusable, if not even laudable.

But we are sure it was wrong in the motive. Peter, instead of being satisfied with a knowledge of his own duty and destiny, and praying to be able to perform the one, and endure the other, wishes to pry into John's future circumstances, and to know what was to become of him; whether he also should suffer, and what death he should die. This, in the view of him who reproved not according to the hearing of the ear, involved in it an improper curiosity; a principle, when indulged, always the most unprofitable in itself, and often the most rude in its exercise, and injurious in its effects. Our Lord always discouraged it, and therefore he here rebukes Peter in these memorable words, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me" — as I have commanded thee. How many things engage our time and attention which do not concern us. How often do we turn from what is plain and important, and perplex or amuse ourselves with what is too distant for us to reach, too deep for us to fathom, too complicated for us to unravel, or too trifling to merit regard. When poring over the future state of the heathen, and the destiny of idiots, and the decrees of God, and the union of fore-knowledge and free-agency, and the fulfilment of prophecy, is not the Saviour asking, "What is that to thee? follow thou me." "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Our present knowledge is proportioned to our present state. More information upon certain subjects would now injure rather than improve, by multiplying our diversions, and drawing us more off from the one thing needful. We are now in a state of action and preparation. Let us leave the knowledge that is too wonderful for us. A day-labourer will gain more of it in a moment after he enters heaven, than any philosopher or divine can acquire by the toil of a whole life on earth. Let us wait the great teacher Death, and God adore. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

But what have we to do? FOLLOW THOU ME. Lord, help me to follow thee as thy disciple and thy servant — immediately, without delay; freely, without constraint; fully, without reserve; and constantly, without change, or a shadow of turning.

Morning Exercises For Everyday In The Year
By Rev. William Jay