But Peter had occasion to turn again, although he had - already left all to follow Jesus. This time it was his ideals that were converted. A national festival had arrived og we read in John 13, and everyone was in a mood to be waited on. None of the company was willing to do the menial but necessary service of foot-washing. Then Peter was cut to the heart as the Master himself approached and knelt at his feet. He had a sharp conflict with his pride, and then he surrendered his old ideal of superiority to the love that is willing to serve. Has our own ideal of life thus been penetrated and overturned? Are we possesses by the Christian ambition to spend and be spent for others? It requires a real conversion.
For all his change towards God in his conscience and ideals Peter was still governed by the law of self-preservation when his loyalty was tested by ridicule. His heart was not yet perfectly turned for his loyalty ebbed out at the sight of a serving-maid. But the picture in John 18 has a pendant in chapter 21. After that searching experience the courage of his love could never be impeached again. Are we converted as far as that? Loyalties in this city are easily at the mercy of a scornful smile or a plausible slander. Fashion is allowed to be dictator even in so sacred a sphere as friendship. This is a side of our life that has also to be turned to God, and it will not be turned but for the appeal of Christ Lovest thou Me more than these?"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.