OceanSide church of Christ

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THE SAYINGS OF THE CRUCIFIXION (34)

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Death

John 21:18-23

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     There are times in our lives when difficult conversations take place between two people.

 

B.      At Jesus’ fourth appearance to Peter a difficult conversation took place.

1.       In our last lesson, we looked at how Jesus caused Peter to examine himself by asking him three times:  “Lovest thou me?”

2.       The third time this was asked caused Peter much anguish of mind (John 21:17b).

 

…Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me.

 

3.       NOTE:  It would have been interesting to have interviewed Peter at this time to learn more about everything he was experiencing during that conversation.

 

C.     The Lord’s conversation with Peter, however, did not end with Peter’s answer to the third question.

 

D.     Jesus went on to foretell Peter’s death. 

1.       This conversation is found in John 21:18-23.

2.       Remember this discussion is transpiring on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

3.       Too, there are six other apostles who are present listening to this discussion.

 

I.                    CHRIST’S PROPHECY (John 21:18-19)

 

A.     The Communication of the Prophecy (John 21:18)

 

Verily, verily I say unto thee, When thou wast young thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest:  but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

 

1.       Jesus begins with the words:  “Verily, verily, I say unto thee.”

a.       “Verily” is the Greek word “amen.”

b.      The word means surely, truly, of a truth.

c.       By saying the word twice, Jesus was affirming the trustworthiness of His words.

2.       Jesus, then, makes note of two time periods in Peter’s life.

a.       When thou wast young.

1)      Peter was probably in middle age at this time in life.

a)      We know he was married because Jesus healed his mother-in-law of a fever (See Matt. 8:14).

b)      He will become an elder in the church (1 Pet. 5:1).  Thus, he may have had two or more children.

2)      Jesus notes that when he was young, he could do two things.

a)      He girded himself. 

b)      He walked wherever he desired to go.

c)       He was young.  He was energetic,  He was free.

b.      “…but when thou shalt be old…”

1)      “Old” for  Jew usually meant over 60 years old.

2)      Jesus said three things would happen to Peter.

a)      Thou shalt stretch forth thy hands.

b)      Another shall gird thee.

c)       And carry thee wither thou wouldest not.

 

B.      The Clarification of the Message (John 21:19a)

 

This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God.

 

1.       The application

a.       Thou shalt stretch forth thy hands.

1)      Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified.

2)      However, by his request, he was crucified upside down because he was not worthy to be crucified in the same position as his Lord.

3)      Two thoughts:

a)      There have been many people who have died for the Lord.  Most likely we will never have to do that.  The least we can do is live for Him.

b)      Jesus foretells that Peter would remain steadfast until death, but this did not mean that his life would be lived perfectly until death (See Gal. 2:11-14).

b.      Another shall gird thee.

1)      Prior to his crucifixion, he would be imprisoned.

2)      He would be girded with chains.

c.       And carry thee wither thou wouldest not.

1)      Often they would lead the captive through the streets of the city to add to the his humiliation.

2)      Then, he would be led to the place of execution.

3)      Neither of these places would be where Peter would want to go.

2.       The avail

a.       There would be a marvelous benefit that arose from Peter’s death.

b.      By it, he would glorify God.

1)      He would be loyal instead of untrue.

2)      He would be courageous instead of a coward.

3)      He would die but God would be honored and magnified.

 

C.     The Command to Peter (John 21:19b)

 

And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

 

1.       Peter knew two things.

a.       One was negative.  He would die for the Lord.

b.      One was positive.  His death would glorify God.

2.       Now Jesus exhorts Peter to follow Him.

3.       Peter had a decision to make. 

4.       QUESTION:  If you were in Peter’s position, knowing you would die a martyr’s death, would you follow Jesus?

 

II.                 PETER’S PRYING (John 21:20-23)

 

A.     The Curiosity (John 21:20-21)

1.       The Individual (John 21:20)

 

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

 

a.       After Jesus’ talk with Peter, Peter turns and sees one of the apostles near.

b.      Most believe this to be John, the very author of this epistle.

1)      It was the disciple whom Jesus loved.

2)      It was he who leaned on the Lord’s breast and questioned Jesus regarding the identity of the one who would betray him.

c.       Remember, that Peter has just been told by his Master how he would die. 

2.       The Inquiry (John 21:21)

 

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

 

a.       If Peter was going to be crucified, he wondered how John would die.

b.      This seems like a logical question. 

1)      John was an apostle as Peter was.

2)      Too, Peter knew that Jesus was Lord and knew the outcomes to every one of their lives.

 

B.      The Chiding (John 21:22)

 

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?  follow thou me.

 

1.       Peter’s curiosity is rebuked by Jesus.

2.       Jesus presents Peter with a hypothetical.

a.       What if Jesus allowed John to live until Jesus returned the second time?

b.      Notice Jesus’ words:  “If I will…”  He did not say that he definitely would.

3.       The powerful part of the statement is in the question:  “What is that to thee?”

a.       Peter was involving himself in another person’s business that was none of his business.

b.      LESSON:  It is easy for all of us to get caught in this trap.  There is an eruption of excitement deep within when get some “juicy” information about another person.

c.       Two verses:

1)      1 Peter 4:15

 

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

 

2)      1 Thessalonians 4:11

 

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.

 

4.       Jesus told Peter that one thing should be his focus.  “Follow thou me.”

a.       This should be our focus.

b.      It is hard enough to mind our own soul much less get involved in the affairs of others.

 

C.     The Contortion (John 21:23)

 

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren that that disciple should not die:  yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

 

1.       Those who heard the words of Jesus did not listen to what he said. 

a.       Thus, they perverted the words. 

b.      It was reported abroad that John would not die.

c.       NOTE:  John is dead.  He did not live forever.

2.       Jesus simply spoke hypothetically:  “…if I will that he tarry till I come…”

3.       LESSON:  It does not take much to pervert the words of Jesus.  Here, the little word “if” makes all the difference.  Other little words like “my” (Matt. 16:18), “the” (Eph. 1:22-23), and “and” (Acts 2:38) can make all the difference in the world.  Be careful.  Do not allow the text to say something it does not.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     John closes his gospel testifying that this testimony is true and that there were many others things that Jesus did that could have been reported. 

 

B.      This, however, does not bring our study of “The Sayings of the Crucifixion” to a close.  The other three gospels and the book of Acts have some things that still need to be studied.

 

C.     Let close by asking two questions:

1.       If you knew you would have to die for the cause of Christ, would that turn you from Him?

2.       Are there things that He asks you to do in order to live for Him that have turned you from Him?

 

D.     All men have a decision to make.  “Will you follow Jesus?”