Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” John 21:18

This was a prophecy Jesus gave to Peter about how his life would end. The ironic thing is the disciples took this message by Jesus to mean they would life forever, however Jesus was telling them the opposite. Jesus was telling Peter he was going to be persecuted and eventually killed because of his faith in Christ

Historical documentation states that Peter was crucified in Rome upside down on a cross. Some suggest Peter requested to be put upside down on the cross, because he was not worthy to die the same death as Christ. However notice the eerie prophecy by Jesus, he told Peter “You will stretch out your hands” meaning you will be crucified for your faith

Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!” John 21:19

Jesus was prophesying to Peter and the other Apostles, that they would be put to death to glorify God. I know this isn’t what modern Christianity teaches or prosperity gospel. Are you willing to lay down your life for the Lord?

Peter was called “The Rock” by Jesus yet his fate would be crucified upside down on a cross. How does this make sense? Because our Kingdom is not of this world, we live in a fallen and broken world. Prepare yourselves for Gods Kingdom, prepare yourselves for eternity, not the temporary Amen!

Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness And his upper rooms without justice, Who uses his neighbor’s services without pay And does not give him his wages, Jeremiah 22:13

What are you building your life upon? What are you building your family upon? What are you building your career upon? Are you doing it with righteousness or deceit? Many people today live with the mentality of “Dog Eat Dog” meaning you need to step on people to get further. Problem is your building a Kingdom with no solid foundation, eventually it will all fall down

Israel was doing the same thing. They were building there nation based on violence and idolatry (sound familiar?). God warned them if they continue this their nation would “become a pile of rubble” (Jeremiah 22:5).

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

Jesus said if you build your life on the Word of God, its like building on a rock foundation. The question is are you building for temporary or eternity? Sure if you want to live life in the fast lane, crash and burn, then build on the sand. However if you want eternal life. If you want to live in the presence of Jesus, then build on the Rock (Jesus Christ)

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. John 21:17

At this point Jesus has been crucified and resurrected, after the resurrection of Christ Jerusalem went into total chaos. The Romans and the Religious Leaders were trying to find the body of Christ, but Jesus was no longer in the tomb. The Roman government looked like fools, while the Jewish religious leaders didn’t want anyone to know the Messianic Prophecies have been fulfilled.

So persecution has reached a high level for the disciples and early Christians. Locked up in the Upper Room (Jesus Home) for days, Peter decided it was time to get away and go fishing. What the disciples caught, they never expected. Jesus came back to visit with them again

Remember Peter denied Jesus three times during his trial, notice Jesus asks Peter three time “Do you Love Me”. Its almost as if Jesus was giving Peter a chance to undo his great sin he committed of denying Christ. Jesus message to Peter was clear “Tend (Feed) My Sheep”!

The original Greek word used here is “Bosko”  means to Spiritually Tend to the Sheep (Christians)

Jesus set the bar for Pastors (Shepherds) here, its not enough to just preach and teach. But a Pastor is also to Tend and Spiritually Feed his people. Remember if we love Jesus we need to Tend/Feed his Sheep Amen!

therefore, behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when this place will no longer be called Topheth or the valley of Ben-hinnom, but rather the valley of Slaughter. Jeremiah 19:6

This is an interesting Chapter here because God is referring to the literal place valley of Ben-hinnom or “Gehenna”. This is the literal place Jesus talked about when he talked about “Hell” or original translation “Gehenna”

and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, a thing which I never commanded or spoke of, nor did it ever enter My mind; Jeremiah 19:5

God declares this place is cursed, why? Lets look what happened here at Gehenna. Child sacrifice was a common practice here to the false gods of baal, tank, and molech. The bloodshed of innocent children has enraged God to the point he cursed this land. This place eventually became a fire pit where the Jewish people dumped and burned their garbage, discarded any dead bodies that were “unclean” or “unclaimed”

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell (Gehenna), into the unquenchable fire,  Mark 9:43

The original Greek word translated to “Hell” is “Gehenna” which is the valley of Ben-hinnom. When Jesus it talking about the “fires of Hell” he’s using the fires of Gehenna which is a literal place. A place that is cursed by God, that is total separation from God

Jesus uses Gehenna as a literal teaching for his audience because they are well aware of what this place is. The Lake of Fire is a literal place, anyone whos name is not written in the Book of Life is going there, make sure you have repented of your sins and made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior!