June 19, 2017 – John 21:18

J

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” John 21:18

 The world fights against any sign of aging, seeing this as a blight or weakness in their lives. A wrinkle here and a gray hair there, yet, it is a part of this life. There is new life awaiting us. 

These words were spoken to Peter, the disciple who followed Jesus – yet denied Jesus three times when Jesus needed him.  Yesterday I heard an apt description of Peter – The Blurter.  We often speak without forethought.  Jesus knew Peter often talked when he should have listened, as we all do.  Three times, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”  Peter was grieved Jesus repeated the question three times to him.  Each time, after Peter’s declaration of love, Jesus replied, “Feed my Sheep!”

Jesus wanted Peter to know the cost of loving him is not a casual ‘if it comes handy’ kind of love.  It is a daily life commitment.  Peter ministered thirty years after Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead and returned to Heaven.  Peter died, a martyr, by the hand of Emperor Nero circa A.D. 67.  A Roman historian, Eusebius, writes – Peter was crucified upside down at his own request.

We sang, “I Will Make You Fishers of Men…” when we were children, and now we are grown, are we feeding the little ones His Love? Are we following Jesus?

Jesus said this to let Peter know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” John 21:19