Scripture: John 21:18-19
“I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”
Thought for the Day: Did you read that carefully? Jesus has just shared metaphorically the pathway of sacrifice for Peter. He’s basically saying, “Your life, if you choose the life I hope you will choose, will not end well. At the same time, it will end in glorious death.” Through the lenses of our Constitutional protections here in the United States, it is difficult to fathom the kind of danger Peter was facing when it came to his faith. Jesus spells it out for him with brutal honesty, and then says, “Follow me.” Jesus doesn’t soften it by asking, “So, would you like to follow me. It will be dangerous.” It’s like applying for a new job, and your future boss lays out all the ugly, hard and dirty work that will be required. Oh yes, the pay is lousy as well. And then your future boss says, “And I assume you’ll be starting tomorrow morning.” Are we really prepared for Jesus to put before us his expectations? It won’t consist of self-righteous behavior where we go around telling other people how horrible they are. It will consist of true sacrifice in every aspect of life, for he will be calling us and judging us on our capacity to love as he showed us. And when you love with that kind of unfiltered generosity, it will piss some people off. They may not kill you, but they might hate you and call you names and treat you poorly. And Jesus challenges us to love even those who hate and persecute us. Let’s be real honest – this faith thing is not all rainbows and butterflies.
Prayer: I don’t know if I am prepared for the challenge you set before me, though even Jesus asked if at all possible to have the cup of sacrifice removed. Loving God, I pray for your help as I struggle to remain faithful to the pathway of the cross that is set before me. Amen.
Let’s Prepare For Pentecost
