Follow Me to the End

I love the end of the book of John. We get to listen to a very personal conversation between the resurrected hero of the universe and one of the recently restored heroes of the fledgling church.

Jesus asks Peter the same question three times. “Peter, do you love me?” Peter begins to wonder what he should know that only the Lord Himself knows.

“… and Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”  John 21:17

Everybody preaches on the beauty of that message and forgets what comes next. All of a sudden, Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Let me tell you something else I know…” Where this conversation goes is outright glorious.

“Most assuredly I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish. This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.  And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow me.”  John 21:18-19

Did you catch it? Jesus turns to Peter and says, “You are going to finish really well.” Famous for denying Christ three times, Peter had a history of cussing like the sailor he was and being unpredictable when overwhelmed.

Knowing this, Jesus personally encouraged him by letting him know how his big finish would go. “…Peter, you are going places you never would have gone before. I know how you finish, and it’s all going to glorify me.” Pastor Troy Version

I bet if you listen closely, you’ll hear Jesus tell you the same. I bet if you walk close to Jesus, separate from the crowds, letting Him deal with you however He wants to, you would hear something like, “I’ve seen how you finish and it’s just plain glorious!”

Want a glorious finish? Choose this day whom you will serve and determine not to twist off.