S – Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” 

John 21:18–19 ESV

O – Commentary:

21:18–19. I tell you the truth (cf. comments on 1:51) introduces a solemn prediction of Peter’s coming crucifixion. In old age Peter was tied to a cross and had his hands stretched out (cf. 1 Clement 5:4; 6:1; Eusebius The Ecclesiastical History 2. 25). Obedience to Jesus’ command, Follow Me, is the key issue in every Christian’s life. As Jesus followed the Father’s will, so His disciples should follow their Lord whether the path leads to a cross or to some other difficult experience.

 Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 345.

A – Being told of the future to come, Peter had another opportunity to deny Jesus.  He knew that following Christ would lead to his death.  He became a pillar in the early church and one of the most well known apostles before his death.  Knowing that suffering and challenge is part of the Christian walk, will we deny Jesus or will we continue to follow Him?

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Empower us with courage to live a life that follows you daily, boldly shares our faith and loves others with full hearts.  The price of doing all of this can be steep but we want to follow you.