The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

420 THE LAST MIRACLE
mingled cold and terror, and yet putting on an air of
bravado and nonchalance. We all know who it is,
and how the bravest of the disciples has become a
coward and a renegade. We remember, too, the way
in which that scene ended—the cock-crowin£, the
thrust of conscience, the look that passed between
Master and disciple, the quick and bitter repentance
outside in the grey morning light.
that was the end of it all
Perhaps we think
This scene is the completion, the climax, of that.
Jesus here completes and ratifies the reconciliation
that was then commenced.
If this scene on the lake
shore had not taken place, the after career of Simon
Peter would have been one of uncertainty and torture
to the end of his days. He might, indeed, have
reasoned himself into the hope that Jesus had forgiven
him. But that was not the Master's way
;
and
I feel sure that this last scene was given in order
that a beautiful instance might be given in the Gospel
of a perfect act of repentance on the one side, and a
perfect act of forgiveness on the other.
Repentance is not perfect in its fruit till it has had
assurance of absolute reconciliation ;
forgiveness is
not perfect till it has given that assurance. So here
we find Peter eagerly and yet tremblingly hurrying to
meet his Lord ;
and we find Jesus deliberately and
formally completing the renewal of friendship and
service betwixt Master and disciple. Here is the
drama of pardon in its divine essentials : the sin, the
repentance, carried as far as honest manifestation of
it can go, on the one side ; the sorrow and the forgiveness
on the other side ;
both made clear in a way
so delicate, so gentle, and yet so inexorable, that