John

Check out all the previous John readings here.

John Reading Plan | Week 17, Day 4

Prayer

Pause for a moment of quiet and calm. To be fully present in both body and mind, inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Repeat this three times. Ask God to grant you His wisdom today.

Bible Reading: John 21:18-24

Read these verses three times slowly.

“Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Reflection & Questions

Yesterday, we read how Jesus restored Peter to his mission. Today, we pick up with Jesus telling Peter that this mission is not going to be easy. In fact, it will end in his death for the gospel sake. Jesus tells him, “when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” John tells us that Jesus “said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.” The church tradition tells us that Peter was crucified for his faith, but because he didn’t feel worthy to be crucified like Jesus was, he was crucified upside down.

Jesus knew that Peter would die this way, and He knew that this would be to God’s glory. The disciple followed in the master’s footsteps. He had grown from a Jesus-denying disciple, to a dying-for-Jesus apostle. How did his death give God glory? It showed that nothing in the world was worth anything to him compared to his relationship with God. He gave his life for it.

1. What word or phrase from these verses sticks out to you today? Why?
2. Are there things that are more important to you than your relationship with God? Would you give your life for Jesus? Why or why not?

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

Bible Reading Plan Pausing

The Bible Reading Plan will be paused after this week until August, but don’t worry, there are plenty of great resources for you to continue your Bible reading. You can check out previous Bible reading plans on our app or website. There are also a multitude of Bible reading plans on The Bible App. You can also check out RightNow Media, which has been dubbed “the Netflix of Bible Studies.” This is a free resource to all Crossroadians.

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Questions?