Skip to main content

Ryle on Peter's Death Foretold by Jesus


Caravaggio, The Crucifixion of Saint Peter. Oil on canvas, circa 1600.

J. C. Ryle has some really great comments on John 21.  As for Jesus' foretelling of Peter's future, he writes, 

"We learn, for one thing, from these verses, that the future history of Christians, both in life and death, is foreknown by Christ. The Lord tells Simon Peter, “When thou art old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” These words, without controversy, were a prediction of the manner of the Apostle’s death. ...

The truth before us is eminently full of comfort to a true believer ... it is an unspeakable consolation to remember, that our whole future is known and forearranged by Christ. There is no such thing as luck, chance, or accident, in the journey of our life. Everything from beginning to end is foreseen,—arranged by One who is too wise to err, and too loving to do us harm.

Let us store up this truth in our minds, and use it diligently in all the days of darkness through which we may yet have to pass. In such days we should lean back on the thought, “Christ knows this, and knew it when He called me to be His disciple.” It is foolish to repine and murmur over the troubles of those whom we love. We should rather fall back on the thought that all is well done. It is useless to fret and be rebellious, when we ourselves have bitter cups to drink. We should rather say, “This also is from the Lord: He foresaw it, and would have prevented it, if it had not been for my good.” Happy are those who can enter into the spirit of that old saint, who said, “I have made a covenant with my Lord, that I will never take amiss anything that He does to me.” We may have to walk sometimes through rough places, on our way to heaven. But surely it is a resting, soothing reflection, “Every step of my journey was foreknown by Christ.”

What is the most important thing about God that helps you when you are tempted to fret?  Do you have any questions about this post?  Why not share that in the comments below.  I look forward to hearing from you.  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Courageous Leadership - Evensong, June, 2023

The texts are Joshua 24 and Galatians 2.

A Sea Shanty for St. Michael and All Angels

Audio of the song   “He Made the Devil Fall” - a “Sea Shanty” (Luke 10:18; Rev. 20:10) Beckmann, Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, 2023 Jesus, he came to Galilee And he made the devil fall! And called the twelve to with him be. And he made the devil fall! Refrain: He made the devil fall, my boys, He makes the devil fall! Christ the King will come again, And he’ll make the devil fall! Ho!   To them his pow'r was freely giv'n, And he made the devil fall! And Satan fell like light’ning from heav'n, And he made the devil fall!  He purged our sins; his vict'ry won! And he made the devil fall! And rose again to take his throne. And he made the devil fall!  He sent St. Michael with his sword, And he made the devil fall! And cast that dragon to the earth, And he made the devil fall!  He’ll send an angel, the devil to take And he’ll make the devil fall! And cast him into the fiery lake! And he’ll make the devil fall!

What is Evensong?

 Here are a few articles explaining the Anglican tradition of Evensong: From Ad Fontes:  https://christhum.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/liturgy-bits-a-spotters-guide-to-evensong/ Here's an article on Evensong from Classic FM:  https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/what-is-evensong-how-long-service/ The Religious News Service:  https://religionnews.com/2017/08/30/evensong-sees-a-surge-even-as-british-church-attendance-declines/ From choralevensong.org/uk:   https://www.choralevensong.org/uk/about-choral-evensong-724.php For some reason, you have to go to "Read More" to use the links. It helps to differentiate between "Evensong" proper, which is the Evening Prayer service sung by officiants and congregation, and "Choral Evensong", which is the Evening Prayer mostly sung by a choir.