Commitment
A pig and a chicken were walking down the road, and passed a church, where a potluck charity breakfast was under way. Caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they both contribute.
“Great idea” the chicken cried. “Let’s offer them ham and eggs”
“Not so fast,” said the pig. “For you, that’s just a contribution, but for me, it’s a total commitment”
This final passage of John is a call to total commitment:
“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." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!”
(John 21: 18-25)
1. Total commitment demands following the leadership of another (Holy Spirit). Vs 18.
Since Peter was accepting the call of Christ to feed His sheep, Peter would have to follow the leadership of the Holy spirit and live his life as the spirit willed.
The call of Christ involves persecution. Total commitment requires following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and all who follow the Holy Spirit shall suffer persecution.
We shall all die. How we die should concern us, whether we die in self; having lived in comfort, extravagance, pride, and unbelief or whether we die for Christ; having lived a godly life and meeting the desperate needs of a world reeling in sin and death.
2. Total Commitment requires the cross -- death to self. “FOLLOW ME” Vs.19
Jesus bore the cross for man. Now Jesus says that there was another cross—a cross that believers must bear for Him.
If a man wished to follow Christ, he had to bear this cross. There was no option. Discipleship demanded it:
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
(Luke 9:23)
The believer is to put his will, and his ambitions to death and follow Jesus and do his will.
3. Total Commitment demands undivided attention to one’s own task. Vs 20-23
Peter asked Jesus what John would be doing in his ministry. Note two things:
He told Peter that John’s task was not his concern.
Peter was not to look at another man’s call and ministry and be distracted.
Jesus challenged and called Peter again: “FOLLOW ME” vs 22
In other words: focus your attention, will, energy and efforts upon your own call and task.
4. Total Commitment demands bearing witness to Jesus Christ. vs 24-25
Total commitment demands bearing witness to Jesus Christ and fulfilling one’s task on earth, just as John bore witness and fulfilled his task.
John bore witness, the Gospel of John is his testimony to the world:
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
(John 20:31)
Just as John bore witness to Jesus Christ and fulfilled his task on earth, you and I are to bear witness to our risen Saviour and Lord.
The death and resurrection of Jesus changes the fate of world history and makes life purposeful.
The primary task of every believer is to bear witness to this truth that Jesus Christ the son of God has come to give life to man—both abundant and eternal life.
The message of Easter is that our risen Saviour, Jesus Christ can forgive our sinful rebellion, dissipate our fear of what happens after we die; and can give life to the fullest right now.
All you need to do is to turn to Him as Saviour and Lord:
If you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
(Rom: 10: 9-10)
What better way to celebrate Easter than to accept the new life Jesus offers today? Trust Him as your Saviour.
Then you will know the thrill, the joy and the security of the resurrected Jesus living inside of you:
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
(Acts 1:8)
This is the great commission given to each one of us.
There is no ambiguity in this Great commission.
It is clear, concise, and compelling.
We have been given a divine, eternal mandate. We are a people of God on mission.
It’s a call to stewardship, service and suffering, Hudson Taylor said “The great commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”
Peter and the disciples were never the same again after their fresh encounter with the risen Lord.
Peter became a powerhouse for Jesus and the others served with distinction and glorified God in their lives and ultimately in their deaths.
May we too, like Peter and the early disciples experience a fresh encounter with our risen Lord, embrace Christ’s resurrection power and catch a passion for His restorative work in this world.
Davidson James