#77 - Joby Martin // The Cost of Following Jesus - The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson

Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: The Daily Blade #77 - "The Cost of Following Jesus" with Joby Martin

Release Date: April 17, 2025
Hosts: Pastor Joby Martin (Church of Eleven22) & Kyle Thompson (Undaunted.Life)

Introduction

In episode #77 of The Daily Blade, hosts Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson delve into the profound topic of discipleship and the inherent costs associated with following Jesus. Centered around John 21, this episode explores Peter's reinstatement by Jesus and the ultimate sacrifices he made for his faith.

Main Discussion

1. Analyzing John 21: The Reinstatement of Peter

Kyle Thompson begins the discussion by examining John 21, highlighting the poignant moment where Jesus reinstates Peter after his thrice denial. He emphasizes the significance of Jesus asking Peter, "Do you love me?" three times—mirroring Peter's three denials—and the opportunity this presents for redemption.

Kyle Thompson [00:17]: "Jesus has recreated the scene here, and he is giving him an opportunity to do something about those three times where he denied him."

2. The Foretold Sacrifice: Understanding Jesus' Words to Peter

The conversation shifts to Jesus' prophecy about Peter's future, where He tells Peter that he will "stretch out his hands and another will dress him... to glorify God." Kyle interprets this as a reference to Peter's martyrdom, underlining the inevitability and purpose behind his impending sacrifice.

Kyle Thompson [02:15]: "Jesus is telling Peter that to follow Him will lead to a divine glorification through sacrifice."

3. Peter’s Role as an Evangelist and His Bold Ministry

Kyle recounts Peter's transformation from a hesitant denier to one of the boldest evangelists in early Christianity. He narrates key moments from the Book of Acts, where Peter stands courageously before those who once sought to kill Jesus, proclaiming His resurrection and calling for repentance.

Kyle Thompson [02:50]: "Peter stands on the southern steps, looking at those who had the power to kill him because they killed Jesus, and he boldly proclaims, 'Repent and be baptized.'"

4. The Ultimate Sacrifice: Peter’s Martyrdom

Delving deeper, Kyle discusses Peter's arrest, trial, and eventual crucifixion. He reflects on Peter's humility and courage, noting that despite his fear and initial denial, Peter ultimately chooses to die for his faith, fully embracing the mission Jesus set before him.

Kyle Thompson [03:30]: "Peter, who once denied knowing Jesus, is now hanging upside down on a cross, giving his life for the sake of the gospel."

5. The Cost of Discipleship: Choosing Jesus Over Comfort

The hosts emphasize the central theme: following Jesus comes at a significant personal cost. Kyle asserts that discipleship isn't about seeking a better life but recognizing that Jesus Himself is the ultimate prize. The sacrifices required are a testament to the profound commitment and love that defines true Christian faith.

Kyle Thompson [04:10]: "We don't follow Jesus because he makes our life better. We follow Jesus because he is better than life."

Insights and Reflections

Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson collectively highlight the transformative power of faith and the calling to live sacrificially. They encourage listeners to reflect on their own journeys, considering what they might be called to sacrifice in their commitment to Christ. The discussion serves as a potent reminder that true discipleship often involves embracing challenges and enduring hardships for the sake of one's beliefs.

Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, the hosts reiterate the message that the path of discipleship, while fraught with challenges, leads to profound spiritual fulfillment and eternal significance. They urge listeners to prioritize their relationship with Jesus above all else, embracing the sacrifices that come with genuine faith.

Notable Quotes:

Kyle Thompson [00:17]: "Jesus has recreated the scene here, and he is giving him an opportunity to do something about those three times where he denied him."
Kyle Thompson [02:15]: "Jesus is telling Peter that to follow Him will lead to a divine glorification through sacrifice."
Kyle Thompson [02:50]: "Peter stands on the southern steps, looking at those who had the power to kill him because they killed Jesus, and he boldly proclaims, 'Repent and be baptized.'"
Kyle Thompson [03:30]: "Peter, who once denied knowing Jesus, is now hanging upside down on a cross, giving his life for the sake of the gospel."
Kyle Thompson [04:10]: "We don't follow Jesus because he makes our life better. We follow Jesus because he is better than life."

Final Thoughts

The Daily Blade episode #77 offers a compelling exploration of what it truly means to follow Jesus, using Peter's life as a powerful example of faith, redemption, and sacrifice. For those seeking to deepen their understanding of discipleship and the sacrifices it entails, this episode provides both inspiration and practical insights.

Join Us In Person:
Don't miss the opportunity to meet Pastor Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson at the 2025 Men's Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. Secure your seat at mensconference.com.

Support the Mission:
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Stay blessed and keep sharpening your spiritual armor!

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Transcript3 lines

[00:01]
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Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson, and they stand ready to equip men for the fight.
[00:18]
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Let's Sharpen up day four in John 21, one of the most famous of the resurrection passages. Beginning in verse again, Jesus and Peter are sitting by the fire. They've just had breakfast together. Essentially, Jesus has just reinstated Peter. He asked him three times, do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me? Peter understands exactly what Jesus is doing. Jesus has recreated the scene here, and he is giving him an opportunity to do something about those three times where he denied him. And so after this, you would think after Peter says, lord, you know everything. You know that I love you. Jesus would say, all right, well, listen here, buddy. It is cotton candy and Cadillacs and smooth sailing from here on. But that's not the way it goes, because that's not the way life goes. Verse 18. Jesus says to Peter, truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you were old, you will stretch out your hands and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go. This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God. And after saying this, Jesus says to Peter, follow me. Church history tells us that the way Peter died is that Peter becomes one of the most bold evangelists in the world. That Peter, in Acts chapter two, is going to stand on the southern steps and he is going to look at the very people that had the power to kill him because they did kill Jesus. And he is going to say, God sent the author of life and you murdered him. Repent and be baptized. 3,000 people are going to get saved on that day. Later, Peter is going to stand in front of the Sanhedrin and he is going to say to them, after they say, hey, listen, man, you can heal people. You just got to stop talking about Jesus. And Peter is going to say, you got to decide what is right for you. But as for me, I cannot stop speaking about what I have seen and heard. Peter is going to preach the gospel in Jerusalem over and over and over. And eventually Peter is going to be arrested and put on trial. And Jesus told him, when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and another will dress you. In other words, right now, you can do what you want, but there will come a day if you decide to follow me, and that somebody else is going to dress you in some prison garb and they are going to stretch your hands out on a cross. And church history tells us that Jesus tells Peter this years before Peter ever dies. And yet Peter is faithful to his Lord and his Savior because he had a firsthand eyewitness experience with his resurrected Lord. And later in Peter's life, he is arrested, he's put on trial, and he's sentenced to crucifixion. But on his way to the cross, it is recorded that the apostle Peter says, I am not worthy to die in the same way that my Lord and Savior died. And so his killer said, that's fine. So they turned his cross upside down. And the apostle Peter, who at one point wasn't even brave enough to admit that he knew who Jesus was before a servant girl, now is so filled with the courage and the power that comes with the indwelling Holy Spirit. And because he has had breakfast with the resurrected Christ, now he is hanging upside down on a cross, giving his life for the sake of the gospel. And so Jesus says this. He says, the reason I'm telling you this is to show by what kind of death you're going to glorify God. And after that, even though Jesus knows that if Peter follows Jesus that it is going to end in a gruesome death for Peter, what Jesus is saying is, it would be better for you to follow me and die broke and upside down, in pain on a cross with your blood dripping out. It would be better for you to die a young man with me than for you to live a long, prosperous, rich life and to die without me and spend an eternity separated from me. You see, here's what is just true. We don't follow Jesus because he makes our life better. We follow Jesus because he is better than life. Jesus is not a means to an end. Jesus is the end. So no matter what it costs, no matter how much pain we go through, no matter what we are, to follow Jesus because Jesus is the prize. Amen.
[04:55]
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Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help, equip other men for the fight, share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay sharp.