John 21:17-19
‘He (Christ) said to him (Peter)…: “Do you love Me?” And he (Peter) said to Him: “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You!” Jesus said to him…: “When you were young, you girded yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you are old, you shall stretch forth your hands — and another shall gird you and carry you where you don’t want to go!” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him: “Follow Me!”‘ John 21:17-19.
Calvin comments: “Peter was not yet…aware how deeply the love of Christ had to be fixed in the minds of those who have to overcome innumerable difficulties. Later he learned…that he had not been through such testing for nothing…. After exhorting Peter to feed His sheep, Christ arms him to undertaken the impending warfare…. He tells him to be prepared to die, when necessary….
“Not all Pastors are in the same position…. Many the Lord spares and refrains from shedding their blood…. But since Satan is continually making manifold new attacks, all who undertake the office of ‘feeding’ — must be prepared for death…. So far as relates to Peter, Christ wanted to forewarn him of his death — so that he might continually remember that the doctrine of which he was a Minister, would have to be ratified by his own blood in the end….
“Old age seems to be set aside for quiet and rest, and so old men are usually retired from public duties…. But Christ declares that the order of nature will be reversed, so that he who had lived at his own will when he was young — would be ruled by another, when old….
“In Peter, we have a remarkable mirror of our common lot…. As soon as they have joined His side and been received among His disciples…, they are drawn into…great dangers and sometimes even death itself…. ‘(When you are old…,) another shall gird you!’… I interpret the word ‘gird’ as…comprehending all the external actions by which a man regulates himself and his whole life. ‘(When you were young,) you girded yourself’ — that is, you dressed as you liked. But the freedom to choose your dress, will be taken from you (– when you are old)….
“‘(Another shall gird you,) and carry you where you would not (be)!’ This means that Peter did not die a natural death, but by violence and the sword…. ‘(This He spoke,) signifying by what manner of death (he would glorify God)!’… John wanted to adorn with a special commendation, the death of those who with their blood seal Christ’s Gospel and glorify His Name…. It is now for us to reap the harvest, which Peter’s death has yielded!…
“Christ…explains…that Peter…must undergo death…. Christ offers Himself as the Leader!… This one consideration greatly soothes all the bitterness in death, when the Son of God presents Himself before our eyes with His blessed resurrection which is our triumph over death!”
We need to be cared for and clothed, when old! But believers await resurrection! And you?
