"A Lesson in Love Jesus reproved His disciples, He warned and cautioned them; but John and Peter and their brethren did not leave Him. Notwithstanding the reproofs, they chose to be with Jesus. And the Saviour did not, because of their errors, withdraw from them. He takes men as they are, with all their faults and weaknesses, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and taught by Him. Ed 91"
"Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."
Both passages highlight the disciples' commitment to Jesus despite difficulties. The EGW passage emphasizes that the disciples stayed with Jesus despite reproofs, while John 6:68 shows Peter's declaration that they have nowhere else to go, as Jesus has the words of eternal life. The connection is strong and relevant.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
The EGW passage describes Jesus training his disciples despite their faults, and the Matthew passage is Jesus' invitation to learn of him. The principle of learning from Jesus, despite imperfections, is present in both passages.
"A miracle of divine tenderness was Peter's transformation. It is a life lesson to all who seek to follow in the steps of the Master Teacher. Ed 91.1"
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
The EGW passage speaks of Peter's transformation as a 'miracle of divine tenderness,' while 2 Corinthians 5:17 describes being 'in Christ' as becoming a 'new creature.' Both passages highlight the transformative power of faith in Christ.
"he had responded to the attraction of His character and life. He had sincerely desired a change in himself, and had hoped to experience this through a union with Jesus. But this desire did not become predominant. That which ruled him was the hope of selfish benefit in the worldly kingdom which he expected Christ to establish. Though recognizing the divine power of the love of Christ, Judas did not yield to its supremacy. He continued to cherish his own judgment and opinions, his disposition to criticize and condemn. Christ's motives and movements, often so far above his comprehension, excited doubt and disapproval, and his own questionings and ambitions were insinuated to the disciples. Many of their contentions for supremacy, much of their dissatisfaction with Christ's methods, originated with Judas. Ed 91.4"
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Both passages deal with divided loyalty and serving two masters. The EGW passage illustrates this principle in the life of Judas, who desired both Christ and worldly gain, mirroring the warning in Matthew 6:24 about serving God and mammon.