What Jesus Did : John 21:20-22 - What About...?
by Phil Ware
What About...? - John 21:20-22
Peter turned and saw the follower that Jesus loved walking behind them. (This was the follower that had leaned against Jesus at the supper and said, "Lord, who will turn against you?") When Peter saw this follower behind them he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "Maybe I want him to live until I come. That should not be important to you. You follow me!" (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
It is so hard not to compare! We want to compare our lot with others. We want to compare our future with others. We want to compare our faith, our church, our efforts... Christianity isn't about comparing. God doesn't grade on the curve. He calls us to follow him whole-heartedly through the course of our uniquely important and distinctive life. Comparing ourselves to others is the cause of envy, jealousy, strife, covetousness, resentment, and a host of other sins. Instead, we are to follow and serve and help encourage others to do the same!
Today's Prayer
O God, the Almighty and gracious Father, thank you for judging me with grace, empowering me with your Spirit, and calling me to a wonderfully unique life in your service. Forgive me for the times I've been envious of other believers. Forgive me for comparing my faith with others, whose hearts I could not know. Focus me on your will and lead me to you so that the glory that others see in me is attributed to your grace and presence in my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
When they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these {other men love me}?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my lambs. " Again Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep. " A third time Jesus said, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus asked him three times, "Do you love me?" Peter said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep. I tell you the truth. When you were young, you tied your own belt and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will put out your hands and another person will tie you. That person will lead you where you don't want to go." (Jesus said this to show how Peter would die to give glory to God.) Then Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me!" Peter turned and saw the follower that Jesus loved walking behind them. (This was the follower that had leaned against Jesus at the supper and said, "Lord, who will turn against you?") When Peter saw this follower behind them he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "Maybe I want him to live until I come. That should not be important to you. You follow me!" So a story spread among the brothers (followers). They were saying that this follower {that Jesus loved} would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die. He only said, "Maybe I want him to live until I come. That should not be important to you." That follower is the one that is telling these things. He is the one that has now written these things. We know that what he says is true. There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of these things were written down, I think the whole world would not be big enough for all the books that would be written.-- John 21:15-25 (ERV)
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/john/1230-wjd.html
(c)2001-2006, Phil Ware and Heartlight, Inc.
©1996-2002, Heartlight, Inc. - http://www.heartlight.org