Scripture to Read: John 21:18–19
After Jesus had Peter confess his love for Him, Jesus then said this to Peter: (John 21:18–19) 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!” Jesus reminded Peter that when he was younger, he got to do what he wanted and go where he wanted. But as Peter grew in his walk with our Lord, there was coming a day when others would arrest him and eventually crucify him because of his walk with our Lord Jesus Christ. Many believe that Peter chose to be crucified upside-down because he did not consider himself worthy enough to be crucified the same way our Lord was crucified. Jesus constantly prepared His disciples for what they would face as they fulfilled His call upon their lives. Our Lord does the same for us today through His Word. He prepares us daily to fulfill His handiwork for that day (Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:13). What we must do is hunger and thirst for Him and His Word, fellowship daily with Him, and feed on His Word so we do not get side-tracked by anything the world throws at us to distract us. Jesus also reminded Peter to “Follow Me,” which we must also do daily.
Challenge & Application
• How did Jesus help prepare Peter for walking with Him and for what Peter would face in the years to come?
• How are you choosing to follow Christ and His Word each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!