In the Beginning: The Book of John

((John 21:18-23 [HCSB])

18 “ I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me! ”

20 So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them. That disciple was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray You? ” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord what about him? ”

22 “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.”

23 So this report spread to the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? ”

Ending is beginning. This is the second time Peter was called from the nets into service. (see John 1:35-42)

But with this redemption of Peter’s is the caveat found in verse 18. This is problematic for Peter, and for those of us who wrangle over the cost associated with believing. How is it that we will “tie our own belts when we are young, but when old we will stretch out our hands and be led where we do not wish to go?”

We talk today of persecution though most of us will never be faced with crucifixion or torture. Is it possible that persecution in the ending times will be less like being crucified upside down and more like erosion of our faith one layer after another over long periods of time in the way a river full of grit grinds its way down through the bedrock? Peter would say this:

(1Peter 3:17 [HCSB])

“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

There will come a time when doing good in the name of Jesus will be looked upon as bad behavior and thus punishable. Recent legislation, and anti-Christian sentiment, suggests that the time of persecution is now.

So, Jesus asks Peter to follow Him; Peter asks about John, as well. The equivalent of, “Who me, just me? What about John; isn’t he coming too?” Jesus replies that, “I am talking to you now, Peter; it is My business when and how I call your friend to serve. What is that to you?”

When Jesus beckons us to follow, we follow.