"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 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. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 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. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."
Three times in today's lesson Jesus tested Peter's love for Him, and three times He told Peter to "feed my sheep".
Through that simple instruction Jesus ordered Peter to be a pillar, the most faithful "rock" for the rest of His disciples. Not that Peter was given authority over them but that he was indeed responsible to them that they be sure and come to know the secrets of the doctrine Jesus had only taught in parables.
This fulfilled another prophesy; "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 13:35)
Peter, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, was to make the "secrets" of the parables known to all the other disciples.
Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, was also given the "sectrets" directly from Jesus; "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" (Ephesians 3:3-6)
Jesus had told Peter and the others before that the Holy Ghost would teach them all things; "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26) Jesus' instruction to Peter in today's lesson was a simple follow up to what had been said in earlier lessons.~
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