Chapter 4: Jesus Warned Peter About “The Plane Crash”
Along with Paul’s disastrous reversal at Romans 6:16, The Church has inherited a let’s-fix-the-cross truckload of ifs, ands and buts. As Christians, we inherit them too, as part of our “Faith.” We are taught to “believe” in ALL of them. Any ONE of which, by itself (if bought-into) prevents the “believer” from Truly-Accepting 100% — with no ifs, ands or buts — What’s-Been-Done-For-Us-On-the-Cross.
Jesus’ eleven remaining hand-picked Apostles were no exception. They bought into Paul’s cross-fixing as well. The Apostle, John, being the least infected, having had that extra year of tutelage from John the Baptist. Still, ALL eleven of the remaining Apostles were Paul-Influenced to some degree, actually to quite a large degree.
Jesus wanted Peter to write the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of PERFECT-Grace. Common folk, hearing ALL of Jesus’ commonsense from a common fisherman (not from a DD). The last words of Jesus to Peter were in rapid repetition. Five times Jesus begged Peter to “Feed my sheep!” (Don’t follow a Pharisee) “Follow me!” Regardless, it did not happen. Peter’s contribution ended up being less than a New Testament footnote in comparison to the prolific and overwhelming “gospel” of Pharisee-Paul; which, overall, BECAME the New Testament — the food for the sheep. Be it Peter or be it James the Just (Jesus’ biological brother) leading the flock to the woolly chow line, there is no doubt at the end of the day who was feeding the sheep. Jesus predicted it would happen. The unfathomable became the real. “Another” took over — “another” outside the tutelage of Jesus’ handpicked Twelve. A Pharisee.
How was this possible? That an outsider (“another” as Jesus says) was able to take over the controls? How did “another” place himself commandingly in the pilot’s seat? The captain’s chair came down to one issue with Peter (and his followers) versus Paul (and his followers). Peter, a common fisherman who walked with Jesus for over three years, knew ten-thousand times more about the teachings of Jesus than did Paul. However, Paul (a highly educated Pharisee) knew ten-thousand times more than Peter about the popular Religion they both shared (the Torah and The Teachings of the Elders). What was the ALL-important issue that determined who would be feeding the sheep for the next two thousand years? Circumcision and Kosher dinning habits. Despite Jesus having taken Peter aside, debunking the need for Kosher eats, Peter said: Gentile Christians need to follow the Jewish rituals. Paul insisted: Not necessary. Did Peter prevail? Of course not. A fisherman is not going to win an argument, concerning Kosher seating arraignments and the Jewish rite of circumcision, with the best of the Pharisees.
So... here we are, folks. Our stomachs bloated with Paul’s thirteen-course meal. Not to paint Paul as some dastardly wicked enemy. Paul was a zealot, overwhelmingly side-tracked by his “belief-system.” Paul fit NEW WINE (Jesus) into Paul’s OLD WINESKINS (the Religion of the Pharisees). It held together for two-thousand years. Now? At long last? The skins have finally burst wide open. It’s Jesus at the wedding feast ALL over again. Paul’s inferior wine was served first. Jesus’ GOOD wine was... what? Held for last. Hello, wedding guests? Are you too drunk to notice? Come and try the GOOD stuff.
Peter admitted, “Paul’s words are hard to understand.” (KJV 2 Peter 3:16)
You said it, brother. Same as Mein Kampf is hard to understand. Compared to the simplicity of what Jesus taught. Still, Peter swore to us by Paul, calling his words:
“Wisdom given unto him.” (KJV 2 Peter 3:15)
No surprise why Peter’s words became hard to understand. Paul takes over the ship (like a pirate) and Peter gets the job of parrot on Paul’s shoulder. Read the Gospels. Jesus never taught any of these words to Peter. Peter’s 1st epistle reads like a cover-version of Paul’s-Manifesto-After-The-Plane-Crash — like watching political coverage on CNN, then flipping channels over to MSNBC. The high-points are ALL word for word. Far beyond three denials, 1Peter puts the Reality of “the cross” in the back of the bus in favor of Paul’s pursuit of self-righteousness. Peter became Paul-Inspired. Just listen to Peter parroting Paul’s words: “Sanctification!” “Unto obedience!” (“Obedience” now being job one.) Sloppy seconds? “AND... the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (KJV 1Pet 1:2)
Peter, what about FREEDOM? Jesus says for us to become “FREE-Indeed” like little children.
No! Paul says for us to be OBEDIENT children! (KJV 1Pet 1:14)
Pete, can you hear yourself? You’re quoting Paul instead of Jesus? Come on! What’s come over you? Snap out of it! ALL we have to do is Truly TAKE What’s-Been-Done-For-Us-On-the-Cross.
Take? No! Paul says Jesus said, “It’s more blessed to give than to take!” (Acts 20:35)
“PAUL SAYS Jesus said”? Peter, what in God’s name (literally) are you talking about? Paul never spent one day with Jesus. YOU are the one who walked with Jesus day-in, day-out for three years. When did you ever hear Jesus say, “It’s more blessed to give than to take”?
It doesn’t matter whether I heard Jesus say it or not! Paul says Jesus said it!
Pete? Have you gone brain-dead? Does your “Faith” rest in whatever Paul says?
Yes! Faith is what leads to salvation! (KJV 1Pet 1:5) Faith in the blood-offering! Paul says that Christ’s death on the cross is “an appeasement to God — as long as we have FAITH IN THE BLOOD!” (KJV Romans 3:25) “We’re sprinkled with the precious blood of Christ! The Lamb without blemish!” (KJV 1Pet 1:19) What Christ did is a sacrifice for our atonement. How can anyone “take” a sacrifice?
Whoa, Pete. Slow down. Jesus specifically calls it a “RANSOM.” Not a sacrifice.
That’s not important! Not in this world! Your “incorruptible and undefiled inheritance” is “reserved for you in heaven!” (KJV 1Pet 1:4)
Reserved for me in Heaven? Pete, God created us on Earth. “On Earth” is the fruition of God’s plan — “Thy Kingdom come.” On Earth is where God’s Kingdom is coming — “On Earth AS IT IS in Heaven.”
In this heated exchange, the written Words of Jesus are superimposed against the written words of Peter. What makes the Words of Jesus so obviously True and the words of Peter (influenced by Paul) so obviously wrong? The Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us for the express purpose of helping us absolutely know the God’s-Honest Truth. In our day and age, the Holy Spirit can give us a much better understanding of the God’s-Honest Truth than Peter & Paul were ever able to fathom back in their day. Allow me to clarify this Truth from a very unique perspective. I am repeating the Words of Jesus to a first century man (Peter) from NOW (2000 years in the future). For the last two millennium (according to Jesus), the Kingdom of Heaven is near. So near, the Kingdom of Heaven has been standing at humanity’s doorstep. Jesus gave Peter the keys to unlock the door to the Kingdom. It is OUR side of the door that needs to be unlocked and opened. The keys are light and easy to handle; yet, somehow the keys got too “heavy” for Peter to lift. Somehow... Peter let “now” slip through his fingers. (Thanks Paul) What about now, Pete? Yikes! As for the last two-thousand years of “now”?
Now? “Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations!” (KJV 1Pet 1:6)
Read 1Pet 1:6 for yourself. “Now you must (NIV) suffer grief in all kinds of trials,” (GWT) “suffer many troubles.” (KJV) “Now, for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness.” “Heaviness” is the weight with which Peter is hobbled — the same ball and chain that hobbles ALL “believers.” Indefinitely. Outside of DEATH, there is no end to this “season” of “heaviness.” Peter wrote 1Peter 1:6 WELL AFTER What’s-Been-Done-For-Us-On-the-Cross. “If NEED BE we be in heaviness”? Why should there be ANY post-cross NEED for a time of heaviness? ALL Pete has to do is simply and Truly-Accept that ALL of his heaviness has been taken AWAY. Had he done so, Simon Peter would have been writing to us as a true acceptor: “No more heaviness! Now? Ye are light as a feather — having Truly-Accepted-What’s-Been-Done-For-Us-On-the-Cross!” THIS should be Pete’s declaration throughout 1Peter. It never happened. 1Peter is NOT the work of a true acceptor. That’s a fact. Peter is not writing about PERFECT-Grace killing heaviness. Just the opposite. Peter is writing about heaviness killing PERFECT-Grace.
“Corruption through lust!” caused by “Covetousness!” leading to “Damnation!”
These are Paul’s words flowing out of Peter’s pen, forming a Jesus Parable: The Fisherman Taught By the Pharisee. What happened to Jesus’ Words? The front page of the Good News? What happened to Jesus’ headline, cast in bold tall letters, top of page one? The headline which, twice, has that wonderfully-simple “unbelievable” Word in it — the Word which our Christian teachers teach is “impossible for you to be.” In actuality? What you naturally ARE as you stand totally sinless before God with ALL of your heaviness taken AWAY.
BE PERFECT EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT
What do the pilots of The Church call this headline? Misinformation. Yes, these are the Words of Jesus; yet, as Christians, we are taught to ignore these wonderfully simple Words. According to the Christian play book: No one knows what Jesus meant by that. The saying has “no statement of time.” Thus, this PERFECTION Jesus speaks of “cannot be attained within our lifetime.” (Buzzer sound!) Wrong. This PERFECTION Jesus speaks of cannot be attained within our Religion. (Thanks Christianity) The front page of the Good News is worse than discarded. The front page has been folded in half and pressed hard across the bottom of Peter’s birdcage — to catch the droppings as the Church-Taught parrot Peter, parroting Paul. The blind, teaching the blind cat to chase its tail. The deaf, lip-reading the closed-captioned pursuit of non-attainable self-sanctification: “Godliness!” “Glory!” and “Virtue!”
Peter ended up following Pharisee-Paul like a puppy dog on a religious leash. Most disastrously when it came to the “proper” place to put What’s-Been-Done-For-Us-On-the-Cross. That place being UNDER the over-ALL sovereignty of THE LAW — Dr. Paul’s doctored-down version of “grace.” Such betrayal to the God’s-Honest Truth came with grave consequence to the Word. Much worse than the consequence of Peter outright denying Jesus three times. The Sower. The Wheat and the Tares. These are dire forecasts, clearly indicating what HAS become of the Word.
After three years of Jesus teaching Peter, it seems incomprehensible that “another” could lead Peter down the nowhere path. Yet, it happened. In spite of the last Words Jesus spoke to Peter, warning him that this is exactly what would happen:
John 21:18 (Original Greek) “Truly, truly I say to you. When you were young, you tied a strap around yourself and walked where you wanted to walk. But when you are old, you will extend your hands and another will gird you, and carry you where you do not want to go.”
To slavery.
And, guess what, Pete? This “another” guy will even let you choose your own Master: Do you want to be the obedient slave of Master Sin? OR... the obedient slave of Master Obedience?
Either choice leads to nowhere. Jesus is ALL about Life and FREEDOM. Remember, Pete? FREEDOM? The Son of Man sets you “FREE-Indeed” (John 8:36). KA-BOOM! The Son of Man sees a plane crash in your future. “ANOTHER” will “CARRY YOU WHERE YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO.” To slavery. Dear Christian brothers and sisters, which is it? You don’t get it, or you don’t want to get it?
Hindsight IS 20/20. The God’s-Honest Truth can be much too difficult to bear at times; but, as usual, the Truth shall set you FREE — “FREE-Indeed.” In Jesus’ farewell speech to Peter, Jesus is connecting “When you were young” to Peter’s three-year walk with Jesus. Jesus is talking about FREEDOM, as Jesus always taught. The pure “FREE-Indeed” FREEDOM of little children. Peter, when you were with me, you did exactly as you wanted to do with your own body: “Tied a strap around yourself” and went wherever you wanted to go. “Walked wherever you wanted to walk,” even on water. Total FREEDOM. Attention ALL Bible readers: Have you ever considered how many REAL LAWS of the universe were circumvented the day Peter stepped out of that boat and walked a few steps on water? Jesus is reminding Peter of REAL FREEDOM. Compared to REAL slavery — what Jesus says the future holds for Pete under “another’s” influence. Under Paul’s influence. Precisely why Jesus repeated “Follow ME!” to Peter, again, again... again... and... yet twice again. Five times, total. “Follow, me!” Not “another.”
John 21:19 (NIV) “Then Jesus said to Peter, ‘Follow me!’”
John 21:22 (ESV) “(Again) Jesus said to Peter, ‘If it is my will that he (John) remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’”
Did you count them? Two times, right? Keep counting. Three more times in the same speech (equaling five times) Jesus directs Peter to feed ALL of us dying, mentally-ill people here on earth (the sheep). Same as Jesus fed the Good News to Peter: “YOU feed my sheep!” Undeniably, “YOU feed my sheep” is the same as Jesus saying “YOU follow me!” The early “believers” missed a whole lot more in Jesus’ Goodbye Speech to his Apostles by PRESUMING what Jesus means.
“You will extend your hands.”
What does Jesus mean by this?
Jesus is predicting the future. Jesus sees BOTH of Peter’s hands extended out in front of him. It is to this prophecy that we are blinded. For, we are Church-Taught to “believe” that Jesus meant one hand “extended” out to the Peter’s left and the other “extended” out to Peter’s right. As in crucifixion. That is exactly what the first “believers” “believed.” In actuality? What they assumed. Those taught by The Church continue to assume the same thing. Assuming (as John first assumed): Surely, Jesus said ALL this to Peter in reference to the way Peter would die a martyr’s death.
The cross of Peter (strike that... the upside-down cross of Peter) has continually blinded “believers” to what Jesus is saying here. Step out of the box and take a close look at Peter’s hands. Can you see them? Open your eyes. Yes, both hands of Peter are indeed “extended outward...” in front of him and tied together. Jesus is not talking about Peter being crucified. Jesus is talking about Peter being led off as a slave. Wait! Before you jump back in the box. Consider the facts. Carefully examine EXACTLY what Jesus says to Peter.
“…you will extend your hands and ANOTHER WILL GIRD YOU and carry you where you do not want to go.”
“Another will gird you.” These Words completely rule-out the incorrect assumption that Jesus is referring to Peter’s crucifixion.
Fact: In Peter and Jesus’ day, to “gird” one’s self was a specific ordeal accomplished by completely transforming a tunic.
Fact: No party to any Roman execution would “gird” anyone prior to being crucified.
Those within the early Church wanted to remove “the awful mental picture” of Jesus dying on a cross “naked. ”Thus, scholarly prudes proposed the idea that the Romans “would have been kind enough to consider a man’s Religion and execute a Jew with his privates covered.” Wishful nonsense and prudish hypocrisy. Sure, it’s okay to whip Jesus to shreds, crown him with thorns and nail him to a cross, BUT... the reality of him hanging “naked” on that cross is “the awful mental picture.”
Fact: Roman soldiers assigned to crucifixion details were not known to observe “kindnesses” and “niceties.” To the contrary, they exacted cruelty and torture.
Here’s a Corroborating Fact: The chief Jews went to Pilate and requested that the multilingual sign atop the cross of Jesus be changed to: He said he was THE KING OF THE JEWS. Pilate “kindly” advised them that the sign would remain as it was written.
That’s about as “kind” as it gets with Romans granting Jewish religious requests; considering, Pilate could have had their heads cut off for bothering him further with the matter. Take notice, there was no further Jewish rebuttal: “Then, at least put some clothes on him!” It never happened. When the Romans crucified someone, ALL garments were removed, leaving the victim to hang totally naked. The soldiers on crucifixion detail were well known to loot the victims’ clothes. Casting lots for anything of value — as, according to eye witnesses, they did with both Jesus’ robe and underwear. Plural — the Gospels verify “garments.” Hold on. Don’t turn AWAY yet. Keep looking at the facts and see exactly how these facts relate to what Jesus told Peter about the future. Back in the day, why DID a man “gird up his tunic” or “gird up his loins”? The answer to this is also quite specific — there is only one reason for doing so. In preparation for hard physical labor.
Fact: The tunic (commonly worn as a long robe) would not allow a man to do heavy labor; thus, necessitating the “girding of the loins.” To gird one’s self: First, the tunic is hoisted up so that ALL the fabric is pulled above the knees to allow mobility. Next, ALL of the extra material is gathered up in front so that the back of the tunic fits snug against the backside, then, pulled underneath and between the legs to the rear, like a diaper. Then, half of the material is gathered into each hand, brought back and around to the front and, finally, the two handfuls of material are tied together.
Look closer, Sherlock. Get your magnifying glass out. “ANOTHER will gird you.” Again, this is very specific. One man girded by another?
Fact: There is only one reason “another will gird you” and one reason alone. Only if you were a slave being prepped by your master for hard labor.
Ring any bells? Hindsight can be telescopic, especially in light of “The Plane Crash” (Romans 6:16) — Paul’s huge reversal to Jesus setting us FREE-Indeed: You can be a slave, or you can be a slave.
The universal Christian conclusion that “Jesus is referencing Peter’s crucifixion” is based entirely upon unchecked presumption. Presumption passed down to us from one century to another. The Apostle, John started this folklore — this presumption. So, it HAS to be correct. Correct? Presumably. Being the last Living Apostle (of the remaining eleven), John is well aware that Peter died by crucifixion. Putting this together with what John recalls Jesus said to Peter, John is convinced he understands what Jesus meant by “Another will gird you and carry you where you do not want to go.” And, so... John tells us... what Jesus... is “signifying”:
John 21:19 (KJV): “Signifying by what death Peter should glorify God.”
“Signifying”? Really? Quite a bold choice of words for John to use here, considering Reality. John is flat out... guessing... what Jesus means. Guessing rather haphazardly in view of the facts.
Who is the ultimate authority on Truth? An Apostle? The Bible? Or the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit of course. Are human authors capable of making mistakes? Certainly, even in the course of writing inspired Scripture. Especially when it comes to adding one’s own personal commentary INTO inspired Scripture. Keep in mind, JOHN is flat-out guessing... WHAT JESUS MEANS... by something JESUS said. A presumption. Had John prefaced his presumption by stating something to the effect... I asked the Living God for confirmation: Lord, is what I presume correct? Was Jesus talking about the way Peter would be put to death? I cast lots before the Living God, and the Lord answered... Yes!
If that WERE the case, then, we’d REALLY have a conundrum on our hands.
A conundrum in light of what?
A conundrum, in light of ALL the indisputable facts listed above in regard to Roman crucifixions and the girding of tunics — a preponderance of evidence, proving that Jesus is certainly NOT talking about Peter’s crucifixion. Relax. There is no conundrum here. John does not mention anything about casting lots before the Living God for Divine Confirmation. John’s... GUESS... in regard to what Jesus is “signifying,” is simply an incorrect assumption. John ASSUMES this is what Jesus meant.
The Church-Taught wholeheartedly disagree: “It’s in the Bible! And, the Bible is unerring!”
Therefore... there can only be one conclusion within the boundaries of ecclesiastical group-think:
“It is impossible for a hand-picked Apostle of Jesus to mistakenly assume what Jesus means by anything that Jesus says in his farewell speech to his hand-picked Apostles!”
Group-think again. In the same farewell speech, Jesus says:
John 21:22 (KJV) “If it is my will that he (the Apostle John) tarry until I come, what is that to you?”
In regard to this statement, ALL of Jesus’ hand-picked Apostles (including John) mistakenly assume what Jesus is “signifying.” They assume Jesus is signifying that John will never die. This folklore spread like wildfire “abroad among the brethren” (KJV) until John himself renounced it. Had John not corrected their rash assumption, religiously-blinded, group-thinking “believers” (to this day) would still “believe” that John never died. In John’s hindsight, he retracts their mistaken presumption. Guess how? John dismisses ALL guesswork by simply returning his undivided attention to what Jesus actually says:
John 21:23 (NIV) “Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers 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?’”
Likewise, Jesus did not say: Peter, you will be crucified upside-down. He actually said: “You will extend your hands and another will gird you, and carry you where you do not want to go.”
Only in our hindsight can the Holy Spirit correct John’s incorrect assumption, inspiring us to dutifully reexamine what Jesus is in fact saying here. Obviously, because of the “another will gird you” specifics, Jesus is not referencing Peter’s crucifixion. Jesus is referencing something entirely different: The opposite of youthful FREEDOM, that’s for sure. Jesus is talking about Peter being led off as a slave. By “another.” A Pharisee, no less. A Pharisee-Extremist. Paul of Tarsus.
Still don’t “believe” it? Open your Bible and flip through the contents of the New Testament. Who ended up feeding the sheep? Peter, according to Jesus’ wishes (three times, “YOU feed my sheep!”)? Or Paul? The Reality is overwhelming. Peter provides an occasional happy-meal throughout the first few pages of the Book of Acts. That is, until Paul takes over the kitchen duties completely. Outside of a few Gospel-snippets, the New Testament canon contains very little of what Jesus taught Peter. Two (tiny) Peter-Epistles, both blatantly endorsing Paul’s Pharisee-Extremist Christian concepts. Can it get any worse? Yes it can. Most scholars doubt Peter’s authorship for epistle number 2.
Put ALL of the group-think aside for just a moment. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Stop and allow the Holy Spirit to show you the most decisive fact. Did you really stop? Did you really pray for help from the Holy Spirit? Ready? Set? Go! Here’s a fact, directly from the Holy Spirit:
“To martyrdom is exactly where Peter wanted to go.”
What is THAT supposed to mean?
The absolute God’s-Honest Truth. Jesus says, “another” will carry Peter where Peter “does NOT want to go.” Do you understand this most decisive fact? Peter more than welcomed the idea of becoming a martyr. Crucifixion is EXACTLY WHERE Peter WANTED to go. As Christian folklore would have it, Peter even instructed his executioners exactly HOW HE WANTED TO BE CRUCIFIED — upside down. So, then... where is it that Jesus is saying Peter “does not want to go”? Back to working dawn to dusk on Master’s Plantation. Who would want such a thing? Step right up, folks. Who wants to trade-off your Cross-Bought FREEDOM... for slavery?
Two choices: Do you want to be a slave to Sin, or do you want to be a slave to Sin?
Not a typo. Give it time. Master Obedience, Master Self-Earned Righteousness and Master Law always and inevitably sell any and ALL of us right back to working the fields on ol’ Master Sin’s Plantation. In this world, under Doctor Paul’s doctored-down version of “grace,” you will always be a Slave of Sin.
Parrot-Peter confirms this tragedy to ALL of his fellow “believers.” “Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations!”
Wake up. Open your eyes and ears. Visualize and listen. See and hear exactly what Jesus is saying to Peter. “You will extend your hands” (both hands extended straight out in front of Peter and bound together). “ANOTHER will GIRD you, and CARRY you WHERE YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO.” Where no one wants to go. To worse than martyrdom. To slavery.
Did you ever wonder why Jesus’ tone was so harsh with Peter during his goodbye speech? The first time I read it, I was flabbergasted in wonder. Stunned and confused. Especially as Jesus continued to question Simon/Peter’s loyalty... for yet a third time:
“Simon, son of Jonas, do you even love me?”
Peter was grieved, shell-shocked and equally confused. Hardly a positive send-off — from Jesus — who knows exactly what the future holds. Brothers and sisters, what else can I say? At least Paul allows Peter the FREEDOM to choose what kind of a slave he wants to be. The same two choices Paul offers each and every one of us. Which will it be, brother Peter? Slavery to Sin? Or Slavery to Obedience (via the Law and self-earned righteousness)?
Wake up. Take the cardboard box to the curb. Sleepy-time is over. We ALL need to wake up. Jesus spoke this warning not just to Peter. His warning is meant for ALL of us. Beware:
“Another will gird you, and carry you where you do not want to go.”
