John 13:36

Have you ever been listening to someone speak and they drop a bombshell in the beginning of their conversation which so captures the attention that it renders one unable to continue listening to the remainder of what the speaker had to say? Our minds keep going back to the bombshell so that the words we continue to hear often fall on deaf ears and distracted attentions. That is exactly what happened to Peter in our verse for today. His desire for his curiosity to be gratified superseded his desire to have his conscience directed and perhaps pricked by our Lord. Jesus had stated three verses prior that He was going away and Peter was still mulling that one over refusing to go further until he got that issue settled in his mind:

33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” John 13:33 (NIV)

To his impetuous credit, Peter loved the Lord Jesus. He loved basking in His presence. He loved following in His footsteps. Three years prior Peter had become a “fisher of men” with no hesitation as he readily accepted Jesus’ call to come follow Him. We often gloss over the fact that Peter gave up his profession to follow the Master’s command. Docking the boat, he chose a higher calling. Peter’s natural devotion towards the Lord’s irresistible attraction was sufficient to prompt this move – it was basically an external following and one done without hesitation. Yet now the Lord’s call to Peter to follow would necessitate the power of the Holy Spirit as it would require an internal sacrifice and yielding. Jesus would have to bring him completely to the end of himself and all of his self-sufficiency. There would be nothing left of him that he could rely on or base his confidence in. By the way, this is where Jesus wants all of His followers to be. Forget self-confidence – we are to deny that. No matter what changes God has worked within us, no matter how much we have grown up in Him, we are not to depend or rely upon these things rather we are to solely rest upon His achieving power. He is the One who equips us for every good work. We have no power in and of ourselves to accomplish the works God has prepared in advance for us to do. Believe me; we want to walk in the path of these good and pleasing works.

“There is no blessing I would withhold from those who walk in obedience to Me – who follow when I call, who respond when I speak to them. Near to My heart and precious in My sight are those who have eyes to discern My purpose and ears that listen to My direction.” Frances J. Roberts

It is only when we come to the end of ourselves and look up that God says we are primed vessels, profitable for His use through the Holy Spirit’s power. We must remain in the vine. Jesus Words come to mind:

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 (NIV)

Fruitfulness is the result of Jesus’ life being reproduced in our own. It is soul satisfying – it is good, pleasing and perfect. We are to manifest His presence through His power for His glory.

“Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. There is a better way. It is to repudiate our on wisdom and take instead the infinite wisdom of God...God has charged Himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him.” A. W. Tozer

After Jesus’ resurrection and the disciples had received the promised Holy Spirit we discover a changed Peter. I think it extremely interesting how prior to his own death Peter emulates our Lord’s Words in teaching the disciples he had obediently made after the Lord’s resurrection:

12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 2 Peter 1:12-15 (NIV)

Peter recalled Jesus’ Words prior to His departure from this earth to make disciples and he was intentionally passing the baton to them before he himself departed. Like Jesus, Peter desired to pass on Truth to those that followed our Lord before his death. He continued to disciple his disciples until the very end just as Jesus did.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)