There is a
delicate shade of meaning in the Greek. The words translated _love_
are not the same. Jesus asks Peter if he cherishes toward Him
love--spiritual, holy, heavenly. Peter declines to use that term, and
contents himself with speaking of a simpler, more personal, more human
affection. If I do not give Thee that love which is Thy due as Son of
God, I at least give Thee that which befits Thee as Son of Man.

There are many who could not go even as far as this. Yet here are
tests of love! Would you be able to enjoy Heaven if Christ were not
there? Would you be willing to go to hell itself if you might have
Him? Do you feel drawn out to Him in service? Do you do things which
you certainly would not do except for His sake? Are you glad to hear
of Him in sermon or talk, so that there is a warm feeling rising to Him
at the mention of His name? Does it cost you pain to hear Him evil
spoken of? Do you sorrow that you do not love Him more? Then you can
challenge Him, saying, "Despite my worldliness, my faithlessness, my
sins, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I love Thee."

_It was very confident._--"Thou knowest all things." Jesus is
omniscient. He can see with microscopic eye the lichen on the grey
stone, the enamel on the shell, the modest flower; and He can see the
love that is in the disciple's heart, though it be but a tiny seed.

When we sin, we are tempted to believe that we have no love to Christ.
But let this incident encourage us. It is impossible for any true
lover of Christ to go on in a course of sin, but quite possible for him
to be betrayed into a single sin. And if that has been your case, do
not shun the Master; He still believes that it is possible for you to
love, and He is willing even to reinstate you in His blessed service.
Who is there, that does not long to speak more confidently of his love
to Christ? Cease then to think of your love to Christ, dwell much on
His love to you--"He loved me, He gave Himself for me." Think of its
unwearied patience, its delicacy, its tenderness. Consider the
character of Christ as unfolded in the New Testament. Commune with
Christ as friend with friend. Above all, put away from your heart all
that might grieve Him, and throw it open to the Holy Ghost, with prayer
that He would shed Christ's love abroad. Then, almost unconsciously,
it will arise, though it may not become palpable till some great crisis
calls you to the front, and deman