The apostle John wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Where I go, you cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another”, and in chapter thirteen and verse thirty-six of his book John shared how Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, Where are you going?” where we read:
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, where are you going?
Jesus answered him, Where I go, you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow me afterwards.
The verse reads, “Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, where are you going?” John began with the words, “Simon Peter” which means “Simon whose name means a little rock, Peter which means a little rock or stone” “said unto him” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Jesus”, “Lord” which refers to “the One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title to God the Messiah”, “where are you going” which means “to what place and location are you withdrawing and departing”? John shared how Jesus' disciple asked Him to “what location and place” was He “withdrawing”.
The verse continues, “Jesus answered him, Where I go, you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow me afterwards.” John added the words, “Jesus answered him” which means “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate responded and began to speak to Simon Peter”, “where I go” or “the location and place I, Jesus, withdraw and depart to”, “you cannot follow me now” which means “you, Simon Peter, are unable and incapable of accompanying me, Jesus, at this time”; “but you shall follow me” or “however, moreover, nonetheless and notwithstanding you, Simon Peter, will accompany me, Jesus” “afterwards” which means “at a later time”. John shared how Jesus responded to “Simon Peter” by telling Him he was unable to “depart” and “accompany” Him at the current time, but he would “be alongside” Jesus at a later time.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus was going to a place that His disciples were unable to go. “Simon Peter” was interested in why He was not allowed to “follow” Him, and Jesus told him He was not able to do so at the current time. Jesus was going to the cross to die for the sins of mankind, and only He could go there. “Simon Peter” was later “crucified” upside-down and did indeed “follow” Jesus at a later time. Jesus' purpose for coming into the world was to die for the sins of every person, and when they yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read these words understand, they could not go where Jesus was to go, but they may “follow” Him now, and those who do are very wise.
Next time John shares how Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, why cannot I follow you now?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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