“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” [John 21.18-19]
This was not the first time Jesus said, "Follow Me" to Peter.
Why did Jesus say "Follow Me" to Peter again? Hadn't He already called Peter and the others to follow Him? Indeed He had.
It was obvious after Jesus crucifixion, that Peter (and some of the others) returned to their previous employ - they went back to fishing. Why did they do that?
I can imagine that Peter and the other disciples were unsure of what to do. I guess in their thinking they reasoned that without Jesus, the "ministry" was done. They obviously hadn't comprehended Jesus' instructions confidently enough to immediately begin to act upon them, so they went back to what they knew and were confident of.
But it was different - they couldn't catch any fish. ...At least not until Jesus told them where to fish. Then, they brought in an unprecedented catch.
But it was after this magnificent haul of fish (certainly a prosperous turn of events for these professional fishermen) that Jesus, once again, said, "Follow Me."
Their lives were not their own.
Hmmm.
Father, give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to understand today...
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