John the apostle wrote how Jesus told Peter, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, When you were young, you girded yourself, and walked wherever you would: but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you would not”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse nineteen of his book John shared how Jesus said this, “signifying by what death he should glorify God” where we read:
This spoke he, signifying by what death he should glorify God.
And when he had spoken this, he said unto him, Follow me.
The verse begins, “This spoke he, signifying by what death he should glorify God.” John began with the words, “this spoke he” which means “the idea of Peter girding himself and going wherever he desired when he was young, but when he was older someone else would gird him and take him where he did not desire uttered, declared and proclaimed he, Jesus”, “signifying by what death” or “giving a sign, indicating and making known what sort or nature of the separation of the soul from the body, decease and loss of life” “he should glorify God” which means “he, Simon Peter, would give praise to, extol, magnify and celebrate the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. John shared how Jesus spoke the words concerning “Simon Peter's” “death” in the future that would serve to “magnify and give praise” to God His Heavenly Father.
The verse continues, “And when he had spoken this, he said unto him, Follow me.” John added the words, “and when he had spoken this” or “and at the time and moment he, Jesus, uttered, declared and proclaimed His words to Simon Peter”, “he said unto him” which means “he, Jesus, uttered, declared and proclaimed to Simon Peter”, “Follow me” or “accompany, join with and side with me, Jesus”. John shared how Jesus instructed “Simon Peter” to “accompany and side with” Him after He told him about His future.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus told “Peter” about His future because He wanted to him to know that his “death” would serve to “glorify” God the Heavenly Father. Jesus instructed “Peter” to “accompany” Him as He journeyed through his life, and this would assure “Peter” when the time came for him to give his life, he would certainly do so. God loves people unconditionally, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. When they submit themselves to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with Him in Heaven. Let all who read these words hear the instruction of Jesus to “follow” Him.
Next time John shares how Peter, “turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following”, 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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