Introductory Thoughts
Simon Peter confessed his willingness to die for the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:33-35; Luke 22:33; John 13:36-37). After the Lord’s resurrection, He told Peter he would indeed have the opportunity to die for his faith. The Bible says that in Peter’s old age, someone would stretch forth his hands, gird Peter, and “carry [him] whither [he] wouldest not.” These things may sound like a possible description of the life of any elderly person, but the Lord made a point to tell Peter that these things referred to his death. It was at this point that the Lord made a most unusual statement: Peter’s death would “glorify God.” From this statement, we know that it is not only necessary to glorify God in one’s life but also possible to glorify God in death.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): The apostle Paul suffered many things for the Lord (Acts 9:16). His main concern, whether he lived or died, was that he glorified God (Philippians 1:20). Jesus also said that the death of Lazarus was to glorify God (John 11:4, 40).
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(For everyone): How can an individual glorify God by his life? How can that same believer glorify God by death? How could this be accomplished whether someone is a martyr or dies of natural causes?
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Would it be safe to say that the death of the Lord Jesus Christ brought glory to God the Father? If so, how? How could the same truths cause your death to glorify God?
Prayer Thoughts
- Thank God for the opportunity to glorify Him by life or by death.
- Ask God for the courage to live or die for Him.
Song
O GOD, DO THOU SUSTAIN ME
