Follow Jesus

That You May Believe: Final Words

Follow Jesus John 21:18-25

Dr. Wes George

May 5, 2024

Prayer

Introduction:  This is our final message in John. It is our 57^th sermon over a year and 4 months.  This section completes what scholars call the Epilogue.  These are John’s final recorded words of Jesus and John’s final words as an eyewitness testifying of the truthfulness of his words and the greatness of Jesus.

READ TEXT

18 “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!”

20 Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23 Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books that *would be written.

Follow Jesus by trusting Him in death. 18-19

18 “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!”

Peter will die like Jesus did by crucifixion. 

Anyone who yields himself to serve the Lord must honestly confront this matter of death. When a person has settled the matter of death, then he is ready to live and to serve!^[1]

Wiersbe is right in that a person is not ready to live until he is ready to die.  Death is imminent for everyone.  Death brings great sorrow and anguish to people.  Death is called a tragedy by many people.  Following Jesus helps a person clarify the unknown and the anguish of death. Following Jesus ensures that when a person dies that they immediately go into the presence of Jesus.  They go to a place that Jesus calls Paradise.  It is a place called Heaven.  Heaven has no sorrow, no pain, no tears, and no more death.  Believing that you go to heaven when you die where Jesus is and where all believers in Jesus are helps you to face death with greater peace and assurance.  The awareness of what heaven is like keeps death in its rightful place.  Jesus has overcome death and the grave.  That’s why Paul asked the rhetorical questions, O death where your sting? O grave where is your victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55) Also, death cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15). To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:7).

So, we follow Jesus in life up to and through death.  Jesus has gone through death for us and will be with us through death.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. . .I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23).

Follow Jesus by trusting Him to providentially orchestrate the lives of others.

Peter is instructed to not worry about what everyone else’s role in the kingdom. 20-23

20 Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23 Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

After Peter is told that he will die by crucifixion, he wants to know about John.  Based upon Jesus’ response, it appears that Peter’s question was more than just wondering.  He either wanted some say in how John would die or wanted to know if John was going to meet the same death as Peter.  Jesus answered basically saying that it shouldn’t matter what someone else’s role in the kingdom is.  Fulfill your role, your ministry, your race, your purpose.  Jealousy and envy are easily aroused in each of us.  On the other hand, gratitude and appreciation of God’s blessings overcomes covetousness and jealousy.  We are never more like Jesus when we are grateful and humble.  We are never more like the devil when we are envious, jealous, and covetous of others.

Those following Jesus, can genuinely rejoice and celebrate the Lord’s blessings in the lives of other people.  We can pull for others to be blessed by God.  When we cannot rejoice in the blessings of others, it says more about us than it does about them.

Obviously, there are some people who continuously brag about themselves and their family and all their accomplishments.  This is even more enhanced with the use of Facebook and social media.  Many of these people have no self-awareness of how they come across.  They will make excuses for their bragging, while having no sensitivity to a host of people who are struggling and don’t need to be invited to a strutting contest.

Trust in God’s providence in your life assignment and in another person’s life assignment.  Pray for others, encourage others, appreciate others, and their contribution to the kingdom.

Follow Jesus by trusting His Word.

John testifies to the veracity of Scripture. 24

24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

John was an apostle.  He was an eyewitness. He was a human instrument used by God to write the very Word of God.  He wrote this gospel of John, 1, 2, 3 John, and the Book of the Revelation.  John testifies that he knows these words are true, because he wrote them himself.

Follow Jesus by exalting His greatness.

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books that *would be written.

We marvel at greatness in sports, in music, in arts, in academics, and a long list of areas.  Above all that, followers of Jesus marvel at His greatness.  He is the greatest.  He is greater than you.  He is greater than your children, your grandchildren, your accomplishments.  Rejoice in His greatness.  He is not weak and impotent.  He is strong and magnificent.  His Name is above every Name.  His works are greater than any works.  His love is greater than any love.  His power is greater than any power.  His plan is greater than any plan. He is greater.

Conclusion:

Follow Jesus in the timing and circumstances of your death.

Follow Jesus by not being distracted from your assignment.

Follow Jesus by trusting in God’s Word.

Follow Jesus by exalting in the greatness of Jesus.

^[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 399). Victor Books.

Previous Page