Please read John 13:18-30.

Talk about rockin' the boat! Undoubtedly, Simon Peter's mind was still reeling as he sat at the table having just watched his Savior and King stoop down to wash his feet. His head hadn't even stopped spinning when suddenly Jesus talks about the ultimate betrayal by someone at the table. Peter's heart must have been breaking in half. For the first time, Simon didn't shout out among the crowd. At this moment in time, his world was being shaken and he was well aware that he didn't have all of the answers after-all... so he leaned over and asked John to figure this one out (v.24-25).

Silent confusion among the disciples in Jerusalem spread. And again, Jesus lovingly prepares them for what they will face. Please read John 13:31-14:1.

I love this passage because we can physically watch Jesus live out what He has been telling and teaching the disciples until this point. Let's break it down and follow every step.

(v.31-32) Jesus tells the disciples that now, the time has come for Him to be glorified. The disciples had thought it would come with the miracles, the assumed earthy reign, or the triumphal entry. But they were wrong. NOW... in Jerusalem, through imprisonment, torture and death, Jesus would be glorified and God would be glorified in Him. Wow.. Through His sacrifice...

(v.33-35) What a beautiful, kind, and gracious address from the Savior. “My children.” [I love you, and you are mine.] He tells them that He won't be with them much longer. “Where I am going, you cannot come.” Can't you just feel Simon's heart being ripped from his chest!?!? After all we have learned about this man so far, it's hard to imagine the mess of thoughts that must have been going through his mind that evening. Jesus goes on to tell his friends that they must love others as He has taught them, and as He has just shown them so that they too will bring glory to God. But Simon had been frozen at the first point. He couldn't hear the rest.

(v.36-37) “LORD! Where are you going?!?” “Why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!” And he meant it, too. With all of his understanding at the moment, he really meant it. But Jesus said “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” WHOA. You cannot follow me? What happened to … “Come. Follow me.”

Where Jesus was going... was into a CIRCUMSTANCE... that was far beyond what human minds were able to conceive, or as Jesus predicted, far beyond what even the best of friends would be able to stand up under. Where Jesus was going... was a CIRCUMSTANCE that would dramatically hurt and affect the disciples. But it was necessary for the salvation of their very lives.

It was the full extent of His love.

They would not be able to follow Him through His death on the cross. But they were never supposed to fix their eyes on following the circumstances to begin with, were they.

What were they supposed to fix their eyes on and follow? That's right, the character of God. And the disciples were far to shaken by the revelation of circumstances to listen to how Jesus was asking them to follow in verses 34-36 as He tells them how to react to their circumstances.

Maybe they weren't able to handle the circumstances just as Jesus said, because they weren't resolved to follow the character of God yet. Maybe.

I don't know about you but the more I study Peter the more I love him and right now my heart is breaking with him. I can so easily relate to this man. His world is falling apart, He so desperately wants to do what is right and can't seem to even focus on what exactly “right” is... and he is afraid.

But there is something else I can relate to, and something that I love even more. I can see the Savior gazing at Him just as He did on the first day. “Come. Follow me. I will make you....” Nothing had changed. Jesus was still leading and asking Him to follow... they were just going further than they had ever gone before.

Now here's the best part. Please read: Luke 22:31-32. This narrative is similar to that of Job as we learn that Satan has specifically asked to sift Simon. Why? Because he wanted to stop Simon's resolve. Because Satan was well aware of what would happen if Simon continued to go deeper and follow Jesus. Satan didn't want to see Jesus glorified that much.

Jesus allowed it, so that Simon really could go deeper. Jesus knew what was coming, and He knew Simon's heart. And Jesus prayed for Simon.

Brace yourself for the most beautiful call and revelation of our awesome Savior. Are you still carrying your index card that says “Follow me?” Well please pull it back out and write this down.

“Come. Follow me. And I will make you fishers of men. I am praying for you.”

He's talking to us too, you know.

“Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:34-35,37

So. When Jesus is leading you forward and you don't know how to take the next step, go to your knees. That's where you'll find the Savior, the King, our Jesus. Because He's on His knees, interceding for you.

For Discussion: Have you ever had to follow the instruction, call, or character of Jesus when the circumstances seemed to be leading another way? Or have you ever stumbled and fallen and experienced God's intercession and intervention on your life? Will you share so that we can all witness our Savior? Isn't He wonderful?!?!