The Gospel of John: John 13.27.38

Read and meditate on John 13.36-38.
If there was any doubt the disciples didn’t understand all that Jesus was talking about, Peter lays that to rest.

                            ³⁶Peter answered (who was son
of Simon), “Lord, where are You going?” He
replied to him, “You cannot follow Me
where I am going now, but afterward
you will.” ³⁷Then Peter said to Him, “But Lord,
why not? For I will lay my life down for
Your sake.” ³⁸Then Jesus answered Peter, “Your
life you will lay down for My sake? I say
to You most surely, that before the day
dawns, and the rooster crows, you will deny
three times you even know Me.”

- John 13.36-38

Reflect
1.  Peter asked the obvious question, but Jesus refused to answer it. Why? Why didn’t Jesus say, “OK, here’s the deal, since you insist on knowing…”? Complete this prayer: Lord, I don’t need to know everything, just my next steps. And today that means…

2.  This is the second time in this vignette Peter thought he knew better than Jesus the way things ought to be (cf. vv. 6-10). We don’t want to be too hard on Peter, but we want to learn from his mistakes. What’s his mistake at this point (v. 37)? Do we ever make this mistake with the Lord: “It’s OK, Lord, I can handle this”? Explain. Help me to live within the parameters of Your Word, Lord, and never to think that…

3.  What did Jesus have in mind when He said to Peter, “but you shall follow Me afterward”? In what sense does Jesus say this to all disciples (cf. Jn. 16.31-33; Acts 14.21, 22). Can you give some examples? I should expect to suffer in some ways, Lord, even as You did, so help me to prepare for this by…

4.  I think it must have pained Jesus to announce Peter’s betrayal before the whole company of disciples (v. 38). Wouldn’t it have been easier for them both if Jesus had just taken him aside and said, “Look, Peter, you need to understand…” Why this open and blatant rebuke? Doesn’t it seem a little over-the-top? Lord, rebuke me when I stray from the path You have marked out for me, even if this means…

5.  In Matthew 16.18-23, and twice here in John 13, Jesus had to set Peter straight, and it wasn’t pretty. What warning is there for us in Peter’s demeanor and Jesus’ response? How can we guard against such over-confidence? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“The disciples had not yet been clothed with the power from on high, neither had they received the strength that was to invigorate them and impart courage to their character—I mean the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thus, they were not able to wrestle with death and engage in a conflict with terrors so hard to face.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

The Lord is gracious in not telling everything that’s going to happen during the course of our lives. If He did, we’d probably just stay indoors, and never go out. He tells us what He wants us to know. What does He expect of us?

Closing Prayer
O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Let them be confounded and consumed
Who are adversaries of my life;
Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor
Who seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

Psalm 71.12-17

Psalm 71.12-18, 3 (Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)
O God be not too far from me; my ever-present Helper be!
Consume and shame my enemies; let them reproached and humbled be.
    A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

But as for me my voice I raise to sing in hope and constant praise!
With saving grace my voice will swell Your never-ending grace to tell.
    A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

O Lord, I praise Your righteousness, Who me from youth have taught and blessed.
Forsake me not when I am old, ‘til I Your mercies all have told!
    A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.