Today's Passage - John 13:36-38

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 13: 36-38   Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"                  Peter really loved Jesus, he liked to follow Him, even laid down his life for Him. Unfortunately Peter at that time followed and served with his flesh. He did not understand the nature of his life, thus he said, "Lord, I'd follow you wherever you go." Jesus then replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." Here Jesus is in fact referring to Peter's martyrdom in the future.                  Peter, however, did not understand, and said, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I'm so eager to follow you, even willing to lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!" Jesus knew very well it was the blood and flesh that Peter's heart was following, therefore Jesus was telling him, "Peter, you still don't quite understand about your life. Are you will to follow me? Of course your heart is willing, but your flesh is weak."                  Sure enough, Peter disowned Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. At the time of Jesus's capture, Peter followed him at a distance. When Jesus turned and looked upon Peter, he immediately remembered the words of Jesus, and then he went out and wept. He knew he could not follow Jesus relying on his flesh! He thought he could die for Jesus, but he found out that he was so weak. Thank God, the Lord Jesus did not rebuke Peter, because he knew his flesh was weak.                  After the Lord Jesus arose from the dead, he sent the Holy Spirit into the disciples' hearts; the Holy Spirit also came upon Peter. Then Peter gave his witness with power and authority at the Pentecost and three thousands came to Christ! Later the church was built, Peter became its cornerstone. At Peter's twilight years, the Roman government persecuted the Christians, so Peter began to flee. He met the Lord on his way to escape; he asked the Lord, "Where are you going?" The Lord said to Peter, "I'm going to the city, where are you going?" Peter was ashamed and he followed the Lord to the city, finally he willing to die crucified upside down. The church history tells us this story.                  "Lord, where are you going?" The Peter before and after are so different. Lord, please help us to accept God's dealing with us and our brokenness in our ways of serving, and let us willing to walk the road of serving God, because at the end that is the glorious way.              Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, please help us; make us willing to be touched by your love, willing to follow you in everyday life. Wherever you go, we'll follow you, offering ourselves, and letting you use us. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!