17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, 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!"
20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
22Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
So, OBVIOUSLY the disciple whom Jesus loved won’t die, right?
No, wait. It seems there are a couple of verses which follow verse 22 and shed some light on the situation:
23Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" 24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. (John 20.17-24, NIV)
So, this passage reminds us that it is possible--even for the most pious and well-meaning of people--to sometimes put words into someone else’s mouth though he never said them or to put thoughts into someone else’s head though he never thought them.
Now, do you think the Pelagian and quasi-Judaizer apologist hacks of the world will ever figure this out and at least try to see how it applies to various particular denials of theirs concerning the preservation and perseverance of God’s people?
