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. 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”, and in chapter thirteen and verse thirty-seven of his book John shared how Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, why cannot I follow you now??” where we read:
Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.
The verse reads, “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow you now?” John began with the words, “Peter said unto him” which means “Peter who was Jesus' disciple and whose name means a little rock or stone uttered, declared and proclaimed to Jesus”, “Lord” or “One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”, “why cannot I follow you now” which means “for what reason and cause am I, Peter, unable and incapable to accompany and join you, Jesus, as an attendant at this time”? John shared how “Peter” desired to know the reason he would be unable to “accompany” Jesus at this time.
The verse goes on to say, “I will lay down my life for your sake.” John continued with the words, “I will lay down my life” which means “I, Peter, will put aside, set forth my, Peter's, vital force which animates the body and shows itself in breathing” “for your sake” or “on behalf of and for your cause, Jesus”. John shared how “Peter” boasted that he would “die” on behalf of Jesus if it was necessary.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus' disciple “Peter” was perplexed as to why he could no longer “follow” Jesus. “Peter” believed he was so committed to Jesus that he would “die” for Him if the occasion presented itself. We shall see what Jesus says to “Peter” about this in the following verse, but for now let us admire his statement toward His Lord. God wants to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they submit their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. “Peter” believed he was committed to Jesus, and those who are wise will humble themselves before Him and receive His power and ability to believe and trust in Him.
Next time John shares how Jesus asks Peter, “Will you lay down your life for my sake?”, 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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