St John 13:36

“And after He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me.” Three years prior, Jesus proclaimed, "Follow Me." Peter followed effortlessly, captivated by Jesus, requiring no assistance from the Holy Spirit to do so. He arrived at the location where he repudiated Jesus, and his heart shattered. Subsequently, he got the Holy Spirit, and Jesus reiterated, "Follow Me." No figure currently stands before the Lord Jesus Christ. The initial "follow Me" lacked any mystical elements; it represented an exterior adherence, whereas now it signifies an internal martyrdom.

During this period, Peter had renounced Jesus with vows and curses; he had reached the limits of his self-sufficiency, rendering him unable of relying on any aspect of himself again. In his state of destitution, he was prepared to receive an impartation from the resurrected Lord. “He exhaled upon them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit.” Regardless of the transformations God has enacted within you, do not rely on them; but, establish your foundation solely on a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit He imparts.

All our pledges and resolutions culminate in denial due to our inability to fulfill them. Upon reaching the limits of our own capabilities, not merely in thought but in reality, we become receptive to the Holy Spirit. “Receive the Holy Ghost” conveys the notion of incursion. The one guiding principle in life now is the Lord Jesus Christ.

**John 13:36 (KJV):** "Simon Peter inquired, Lord, where are you going?" Jesus said, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; however, you will follow me later."

Key Highlights from John 13:36:

1. **Peter's Inquiry ("Whither goest thou?")** - Peter's inquiry reflects his profound worry and curiosity over Jesus' destination. This signifies his yearning to remain near Jesus, emphasizing their connection and fidelity. This indicates that Peter was grappling with comprehending the entirety of Jesus' mission and the imperative of His departure.

2. **Jesus’ Response ("Where I am going, you cannot follow me now")** - Jesus recognizes Peter's commitment but indicates that there will be a moment when Peter cannot accompany Him. This highlights the enigma of Jesus' forthcoming departure (His death and ascension) and the objective of His mission. It indicates a celestial design that surpasses immediate human comprehension. Peter, akin to the other disciples, must initially contend with Jesus' death before he can thoroughly understand the meaning of the resurrection and the final ascension of Jesus into glory.

3. **A Promise of Future Following ("but thou shalt follow me afterwards")** - Jesus assures Peter of future hope, indicating that although he cannot follow at present, a day will arrive when he can accompany Jesus. This suggests Peter's impending martyrdom and the fate of the disciples following Jesus' resurrection and ascension. This remark anticipates the disciples' responsibility in perpetuating Jesus' mission on earth following His departure.

4. **The Guarantee of Completion** Jesus' statements imply that despite Peter's current confusion or disappointment, a larger scheme is in operation. This serves as a confirmation that divine intentions are not constrained by the current circumstances.

- The disciples, although temporarily forsaken, are not deserted—they will subsequently have the opportunity to follow Jesus more comprehensively, invigorated by the Holy Spirit.

5. **Spiritual Journey and Preparation** - Peter's reluctance to follow Jesus promptly may represent the spiritual development and readiness that all believers experience. Similar to Peter's eventual development into a leadership position within the early Church, adherents must engage in spiritual preparation for the profound commitment to follow Jesus. This underscores the concept of timing in divine providence: there exists a designated moment for each believer's profound engagement in God's endeavors.

6. **Peter's Personal Transformation** - The assertion emphasizes Peter's forthcoming metamorphosis. While Peter is currently unprepared to follow in the same manner, he will develop and be empowered to follow Jesus significantly after the resurrection, especially in his capacity as a leader of the early Church.

- Peter's ultimate "following" may allude not only to his physical demise (as a martyr) but also to his spiritual metamorphosis from a timid disciple to a courageous apostle.

Application to Contemporary Christian Existence: - **Perseverance in Adhering to Christ:** There are instances in the Christian journey when we may not completely comprehend God’s design or discern His direction. Similar to Peter, we may be enthusiastic to pursue but must await the opportune opportunity.

- **Anticipation of the Future:** Jesus assures that, like to the disciples who would ultimately accompany Him in glory, contemporary believers can be assured that their eventual communion with Christ in His kingdom would occur at the designated time.

- **Trust in Divine Timing:** Relying on divine timing can be challenging, particularly when one has spiritual urgency or when situations appear perplexing. This verse encourages believers to have faith that God's plan is progressing, even if the complete vision is not now visible.

In summary, **John 13:36** highlights the conflict between the constraints of human comprehension and the assurances of future realization in Christ.

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