When Christ Jesus appeared to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, he addressed a question to Simon Peter which still calls insistently to every follower of the Christ, Truth. "Lovest thou me?" was addressed to the lovable, impetuous Peter, who had said to Jesus, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death," but who later denied him three times in that dark morning hour before the crucifixion. It was Peter who had rushed to defend his beloved Master by smiting the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear, and whom Jesus rebuked, saying, "Put up thy sword into the sheath." It was also Peter who in a moment of spiritual insight had declared of Christ Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Did Christ Jesus with his thrice-repeated question wish to arouse Peter from a limited, personal love for the human Jesus to a deeper comprehension of the impersonal, Christlike love which is founded on divine Principle? Did he know how his beloved disciple would need the understanding of such love in the world ministry which lay before him? In answer to Peter's protests of love and loyalty, the Master outlined the manner in which he could prove his devotion: by feeding the lambs of his flock.
Love was the central point of his teaching. It was this impersonal, impartial, and unchanging love which Christ Jesus taught and lived, and which he yearned to impart to his disciples and the world. This enlightening, living, healing power of divine Love separated his teachings from the rigid scholastic theology of his day, which was concerned more with the letter of the law than with its divine, healing Principle. Jesus' understanding of the love of God was expressed in an unselfed love for humanity— in living and loving, which found expression in his healing works. He included all mankind in his spiritual affection.
