A Death That Glorifies God

Death, Discipleship, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Prophecy, Righteous Living 5 Minutes

Every believer lives under the certainty of two eschatological realities. The Lord may return for His church in the Rapture (1 Th. 4:16–17), in which case we will not taste death but will “all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:51–52). But if we are not part of the Rapture generation, then each of us will face physical death, because “it is appointed for men to die once” (Heb. 9:27). For the believer, however, death is not defeat but the final opportunity to glorify God. A life lived in obedience to the Lord can culminate in a death that honors Him, just as Paul wrote, “Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20).

This principle appears clearly in the Lord’s post-resurrection conversation with Peter, where Jesus revealed that even the manner of Peter’s death would become an act that glorifies God. John 21:18–19 records the Lord’s final words to Peter after restoring him from his threefold denial (John 21:15–17). Jesus said, “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). John then adds the inspired explanation, “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).

The contrast in John 21:18 is between Peter’s past independence and his future martyrdom. When Peter was young, he “girded” himself and went where he desired. The language reflects the ancient practice of tightening a garment to move freely. In the future, however, Peter would lose that freedom. Jesus says he will “stretch out your hands,” an expression widely understood in the early church as a reference to crucifixion. Others will “gird” him and lead him where he does not wish to go. The statement predicts that Peter would die as a martyr, which early Christian testimony affirms occurred in Rome. Thus, the Lord reveals Peter’s end from the divine vantage point. The One who knows “the end from the beginning” (Isa. 46:10) discloses the path of Peter’s life and death.

John 21:19 explains the theological significance of that death. John writes that Jesus spoke “signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.” Even martyrdom can become an act of worship. When a believer remains faithful under suffering, the result magnifies God’s worth and truth. Peter would eventually demonstrate this principle in his own teaching: “If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name” (1 Pet. 4:16). The death of the believer does not defeat God’s purpose. Rather, the believer’s endurance under trial becomes a testimony to the reality and value of Christ. In this respect Peter’s future mirrored the pattern first established by Jesus Himself. The Lord said concerning His own death, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31), and again prayed, “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). Just as Christ followed the Father’s will even to the cross, so Peter would follow Christ’s will even to martyrdom, and both acts of obedience would result in the glory of God. Carson notes, “What is remarkable is that Peter lived and served three decades with this prediction hanging over him.”[1] Later church tradition claims Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die as his Lord did, but this cannot be verified and remains uncertain.[2]

After revealing Peter’s future death, Jesus immediately returns him to the present with a simple command: “Follow Me.” The Lord discloses the destination but emphasizes the next step. The Christian life is lived one step of obedience at a time. God may know the entire course of a believer’s life, but the believer’s responsibility is to follow Christ today. The command echoes Jesus’ earlier call to discipleship: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). Following Christ means orienting one’s will, priorities, and conduct under His authority. According to Blum, “Obedience to Jesus’ command, Follow Me, is the key issue in every Christian’s life. As Jesus followed the Father’s will, so His disciples should follow their Lord whether the path leads to a cross or to some other difficult experience.”[3]

The practical lesson is direct. The future belongs to God, but obedience belongs to us. Christians often want full knowledge of what lies ahead. Scripture rarely provides that. Instead, the Lord gives direction for the present moment. The believer advances by trusting God’s sovereignty while concentrating on present faithfulness. As Proverbs states, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5–6).

To follow Jesus, therefore, means to live under His authority, guided by His Word, and empowered by His Spirit. It means learning His thinking through Scripture (Col. 3:16), walking by faith rather than sight (2 Cor. 5:7), and presenting oneself as an instrument of righteousness (Rom. 6:13). The believer does not need to control the entire future. He simply keeps moving behind the Shepherd who leads him. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Faithful discipleship is not primarily about knowing the entire path ahead. It is about staying close to the One who already knows it.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

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[1] D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 680.

[2] The earliest reference to this idea appears in the apocryphal Acts of Peter from the late second century, and the report is later repeated by writers such as Origen and Eusebius of Caesarea. However, the tradition rests on sources removed from the events themselves and lacks contemporary historical verification. As D. A. Carson observes, “Later accounts of Peter asking to be crucified upside down, because he felt unworthy to be crucified as his Lord was, are too remote and too infected with legendary accretions to be reliable.” D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W. B. Eerdmans, 1991), 680.

[3] Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 345.

Published by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Dr. Steven R. Cook is a Christian educator. He is protestant, conservative, and dispensational. Studies in the original languages of Scripture, ancient history, and systematic theology have been the foundation for Steven’s teaching and writing ministry. He has written several Christian books, dozens of articles on Christian theology, and recorded more than seven hundred hours of audio and video sermons. Steven currently serves as professor of Bible and Theology at Tyndale Theological Seminary, and hosts weekly Bible studies at his home in Texas. Steven’s ministry activity is entirely voluntary (articles, blogs, podcasts, and video lessons), as he works a full time job as a Case Manager for a local nonprofit agency that helps the elderly and disabled in the community.

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