18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”
Message: Jesus Predicts Peter's Martyrdom
Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."
What the Lord is Saying: In the previous lesson, I looked at the words from Jesus to question Peter and his commitment to the Lord and the challenge or call to tend His sheep, to care for those that have been called into the family of God. John is recording Jesus and his conversation with Peter.
The Gospel of Matthew records 5 verses following Jesus' resurrection focusing on the Great Commission we take application to as well for us and all Christians - to go and make disciples. The Gospel of Mark is similar in it with the number of words, but adds a little more information. It also emphasizes preaching the gospel. And then after speaking to the disciples he leaves to heaven, ascending. The Gospel of Luke also says something similar, and it has a little more information. The word choices in Luke are a little different mentioning that "repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations." But the Gospel of John spends two chapters - John 20 and John 21 talking about his resurrection - speaking more of Jesus to the disciples, to a small group and to Peter more specifically - which I am studying right now.
The words of Jesus here are I suppose somber. Jesus speaks words to Peter - proclaiming his life to him before his eyes - speaking a truth that when he was younger, he did as he wished but at some point someone else will make the decision on his end - meaning he will be martyred. In the meantime, "Follow me." As I recall, they are sitting by the fire that Jesus prepared to serve the fish that He provided through their catch. They are together again. This chapter 21 speaks much of Jesus' encounter with Peter.
A few thoughts - Jesus speaks about Peter's youth. Alexander Maclaren mentions that in our youth there is a zeal for life and achievement and accomplishment. There is a hope and sometimes we do things also by not thinking twice, but simply going forward. There is a self-reliant confidence which is truly a blessing of early days. But Jesus then provides a sharp contrast from this to the end of life. The reality is there are stronger forces that determine a person's life that their own will and wish. A patience acceptance of the inevitable results, as in, "someone else will gird you."
Maclaren says, So ‘when thou shalt be old’ your fancy will be gone, your physical strength will be gone, your freshness will be gone, your faculty of hoping will work feebly and have little to work on; on earth your sense of power will be humbled, and yet you will not want to be borne to the place whither you must be borne.
Life begins with a zeal and then in our lives we discover that we are not in control. And then Jesus reminds us of the full meaning of life, of the complete peace that we can have. "Follow me." It is what makes us complete and completely blessed. None of us will ever be solitary if stepping in Christ's footsteps. But we don't simply follow Him because He is a great example, a one-of-a-kind Companion, or the Commander of our life. I follow Him because He went to the cross for me, and all of my hope is in Him because of this.
Summary: Jesus contrasts the life of Peter from his youthful days to the end of his life, whether he feels life to be certain or not, says that he should follow Him.
Promise: From Maclaren, "if we follow Jesus, we shall put our hands quietly and trustfully into His, as a little child does into its mother’s soft, warm palm, and shall not ask whither He leads, assured that since it is He who leads we shall be led aright."
Prayer: Lord, thank you for followers of You that have preceded me and You have illuminated their words and given them understanding of You. I thank you for Alexander Maclaren and the way his words help give me understanding into Your truth. But thank you Jesus for speaking to Peter the way you have and giving me the opportunity to hear His words. You are over all of my life and I do follow You, finding true peace and amazement continually that you came to earth, and went to die for me. You bring me peace. Your my gravity. You are the air I breathe. Nothing can separate me from You.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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