Christ’s Cryptic Commission

In Jesus’ final appearance in John’s gospel, Jesus tells Peter that when he gets old, he will stretch out his hands and someone else will carry him where he does not want to go. John explains that Christ’s cryptic comment indicated “the manner of death by which Peter would glorify God” (21:19).

In the lead-up to that prediction, the Lord asked Peter three times whether he loved him—as a reversal to Peter’s threefold denial earlier? After each of Peter’s responses comes a statement of responsibility: “feed and tend my lambs and sheep.” Then, following the prediction about the manner of death, Jesus says, “Follow me.” That command echoes the previous admonition to him, “Take up your cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). That admonition echoed Peter’s objection to the prospect of his Lord’s own crucifixion.

It takes lots of love to glorify God: a cross may loom over the path of the servant of a crucified Lord. Indirectly these emblems remind us of that fact in addition to reminding us of the One who fulfilled the responsibility he was given. May Christ’s example move our love to that same high level of devotion in us.