18 “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
In our verses for today, Jesus gives Peter a solemn prediction - a glimpse into his future – the type of death he may expect at the conclusion of his ministry. Having confirmed to him the honor of Apostle in life, Jesus now tells Peter the further honor intended for him through his death. The Lord prophetically proclaims Peter would die the death of a martyr through crucifixion. He holds out no prospect of temporal ease or of a present earthly kingdom – he tempts him not onward by promises of worldly success and secular rewards rather bids him forward to a violent albeit glory ridden death. Peter must follow his Master – both by feeding His sheep and partaking in His sufferings. And so it came to be. Peter lived to be persecuted, beaten, imprisoned and at length slain - all for Christ’s sake. Jesus’ Words came into fruition as in old age Peter died with his hands stretched out on a cross. Our future history - both in life and death - is foreknown by Christ. I am reminded of the words penned by Jeremiah:
4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jer 1:4-5 (NIV)
God makes known the end for the beginning from ancient times what is yet to come. It is comforting for the child of faith to rest in the knowledge that all is arranged by the One who is too wise to err and to loving to do the believer harm. This certainly does not mean a life sans tribulation and sufferings – surely our Lord experienced plenty of these as He walked this earth. In fact Isaiah tells us He was a man of sorrows, familiar with sufferings. He does not expect us to relish bodily pain as pleasure – the dread of death is naturally implanted within us. Wishing to be separated from the body is unnatural. He who becomes a Christian does not cease to me a man. Even Jesus prayed against the bitter cup. Yet we are called in our verses for today to bring glory to God by our deaths as well as our lives. We do this as we bear patiently in our afflictions – not murmuring – exhibiting peace and hope for a far better place and with a constant gaze upon Christ as our complete source of strength and sufficiency - His grace being sufficient to meet our every need. We must keep heaven in our eyes and earth under our feet as we perhaps groan but not grumble in our circumstances. Interestingly, like Peter, Scripture tells us every follower of Jesus is called to deny self, take up his cross and follow in Christ’s footsteps – whether figuratively or literally:
23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)
Next we discover Peter wrongly getting his focus off his future walk and concern for his own soul and off of Christ and on to the Apostle John. He became busy in another man’s matters rather than his own. In a rebuke, the Lord teaches Peter – and us as well – that we are to attend to our own duties, mind our own souls, fulfill or own courses and leave the future of others in the hands of our wise and merciful Savior. Our Lord treats each of His children differently – always for our good and His glory. He is supremely uniquely individual and relational with each one of us – even down to knowing the number of hairs on our heads. Again, the words Jeremiah penned come to mind:
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:11-13 (NIV)
When we get our eyes off of Jesus and our own paths and on to others we often become dissatisfied or disillusioned. We begin the “It’s not fair” and “Woe is me” mantras and Jesus says to us as He did to Peter - “What is that to you?” Whatever others may do or not do, suffer or not suffer, our duty is pristinely clear and plain - we are called to look to our own souls and take heed to follow Christ. I am reminded of the psalmist Asaph when he began to get discouraged and oppressed by looking at the ease of others:
12 This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth. 13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. 15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children. 16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny...21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, 22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. 23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:12-17, 21-26 (NIV)