This instance of God's sovereignty struck me tonight-- John 21 not only records Jesus's reinstatement of Peter (much like the reaffirmation of the Tabernacle's logistics!), but also Jesus's prediction of Peter and John's futures.
" 'Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you [Peter], 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 [Jesus] spoke, signifying by what death [probably crucifixion] he [Peter] would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me.' Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays You?' Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?' Jesus said to him [Peter], 'If I will that he [John] remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.' "
-John 21: 19b-22
Jesus tells Peter here "It's not your place to decide how you'll die. It's not your place to decide how you'll serve Me. It's not your place to decide whether you survive the coming apocalypse and write Revelation or whether you minister to the Jews and write I and II Peter instead of I, II, III John and one of the accounts of My gospel. It also isn't your place to decide whether you follow Me or not; I prayed for you that your faith will not fail, and I reinstate you into the service of My kingdom."
Let us be content and work diligently with the part written us, that we may sing with the Psalmist: "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance." (Psalm 16:6)
" 'Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you [Peter], 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 [Jesus] spoke, signifying by what death [probably crucifixion] he [Peter] would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me.' Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays You?' Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?' Jesus said to him [Peter], 'If I will that he [John] remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.' "
-John 21: 19b-22
Jesus tells Peter here "It's not your place to decide how you'll die. It's not your place to decide how you'll serve Me. It's not your place to decide whether you survive the coming apocalypse and write Revelation or whether you minister to the Jews and write I and II Peter instead of I, II, III John and one of the accounts of My gospel. It also isn't your place to decide whether you follow Me or not; I prayed for you that your faith will not fail, and I reinstate you into the service of My kingdom."
Let us be content and work diligently with the part written us, that we may sing with the Psalmist: "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance." (Psalm 16:6)
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