The Picture of Discipleship

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
John 21:1-25

Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” John 21:18 (NKJV)

This is the picture of discipleship. Peter was a chosen vessel. He had walked with Jesus as closely as anyone. Yet there remained in him a tendency to gird himself and walk where ever him wished. Jesus had spent three years apprehending this wild heart.

A.W. Tozer once said that God cannot use anyone greatly unless He has first wounded him deeply. The height of our calling is also the depth of God's working. Peter had been self-willed. Now Jesus tells him that "another will gird you...another will carry you."

This is a picture of discipleship. Jesus never calls us to work FOR Him. He never asks us to DO things to please Him. He calls us to stretch out our hands like a child toward its parent - to surrender our lives, our wills, our ways - and allow Him to carry us.

He has marvelous plans. He will take us places we could never go on our own. This is what it means to be a follower of Jesus.