John the apostle wrote how, “Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these? He said unto him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said unto him, Feed my lambs. He said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? He said unto him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said unto him, Feed my sheep. He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, do you love me? And he said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse eighteen of his book John shared how Jesus told Peter, “when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands””where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, When you were young, you girded yourself, and walked wherever you would:” John began with the words, “Verily, verily” which means “truly, truly or surely, surely”, “I say unto you” or “I, Jesus, utter, declare and proclaim to you, Simon Peter”, “when you were young” which means “at the time and moment you, Simon Peter, were youthful, fresh and regenerate”, “you girded yourself” or “you, Simon Peter, bound about your own self with a belt”, “and walked wherever you would” which means “and ambled about in whatever place and location you desired”. John shared how Jesus certifiably referred to the time when “Simon Peter” was younger, clothed himself and wandered about wherever he wanted to go.
The verse goes on to say, “but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you would not.” John continued with the words, “but when you shall be old” “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at the time and moment you, Simon Peter, fail from age, are obsolescent and senescent”, “you shall stretch forth your hands” which means “you, Simon Peter, will cast forth, extend and put forth your physical hands”, “and another shall gird you” or “will bind about your own self with a belt”, “and carry you” which means “and bear up, rush, move and bring you, Simon Peter” “where you would not” or “to a place and location to which you, Simon Peter, would not desire, have in mind, wish or purpose”. John shared how Jesus told “Simon Peter” when he aged, he would “stretch” out his physical hands while someone else bound him and brought him to a place that he'd rather not go.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus knew “Simon Peter” so well that He referred to His past, and He knew His future. “Simon Peter” had cared for himself from the time he was a young age, but later in his life, other people would maintain control over him and take him to a place he would not desire to go. Though “Simon Peter” did not “love” Jesus equal to Jesus' love for him, Jesus had a plan for “Simon Peter's” life. God loves people, and when they believe in His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and guide them through their time on earth. “Simon Peter” was to “die” for the cause of gospel, (He was actually crucified upside down), and anyone who yields their life to Him will be given a plan and purpose by God to fulfill their part in the sharing of the good news of His salvation. Those who are wise will carefully consider the knowledge of Jesus concerning “Simon Peter” and yield themselves to Jesus who knows their past and their future.
Next time John shares how Jesus said this, “signifying by what death he should glorify God”, 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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