Lord, What About Him? (John 21:20-23)

Lesson #341

After helping Peter through his guilt over his denial and telling his how his life would end, “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”” (John 21:20 ESV). Jesus told Peter to follow him. It appears that John also gets up and follows Jesus, but behind Peter. Peter turns around and sees John following them. Since Peter knew how he was going to die he wanted to know how John’s life would end: “When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” (John 21:21 ESV).

That was none of his business and “Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”” (John 21:22 ESV). Jesus wanted Peter to keep his focus on following him and serving him, not in knowing what might happen to someone else. This is also a warning to us as it is easy to get distracted by other things and allow our focus to drift away from doing kingdom work as we follow the Lord’s lead.

Another concern is over the statement “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This was not a statement about John not dying, but simply used to emphasize to Peter to mind his own business and stay focused. This is a warning to us to be careful not to lift a verse out of its context and draw some conclusion that was not intended. This is how false doctrine gets passed around, as we see in the next verse: “So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:23 ESV).

It seems natural to compare ourselves with others so as to make some kind of assessment of our importance. For example, one day a dispute arose among the disciples as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves” (Luke 22:25 – 26 ESV). It is natural to feed our pride by accomplishing all we can and gathering the best things we can around us. As a result, I have envied those who are more gifted than me who can accomplish more than I can, but during the last two years of writing Bible studies, I have come to realize, with Paul, that my accomplishments and abilities are of little importance. That which I accomplish in the world will all pass away, but that done for the kingdom as assigned to me (Ephesians 2:10) will last forever. I find that my abilities are not all that important either and have come to understand that they set limits to what I can do or not do. That is God’s way of keeping me focused on his will for my life. If he wanted me to do more or something different then he would have gifted me differently. I have also learned that what is much more important is learning to form a partnership with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As I am crucified with Christ it allows Jesus to life his life in me more fully and as I am broken before him he can use my brokenness to touch the lives of many around the world. As I seek the mind of Christ and study the word, I am nourished by it and guided by the Holy Spirit in writing these lessons. The Holy Spirit then draws people to read them to the glory of our Father. Writing these studies in partnership with Jesus and the Holy Spirit and maintaining my website so people can access them is where I believe God wants me during this later season of my life.

We have just two verses left, but I want to leave them for the last lesson because they provide an opportunity to write about out next study and new website, which is anchormyfaith.com.

Prayer

Father, I hope in future studies to spend some time looking at the kingdom work we are called to do. Peter looked back and asked Jesus about John. Jesus made it very clear that he didn’t need to know, but that he was to stay focused on his assignment and follow Jesus. Father, I am afraid that we are much too busy with the things of the world and not focused in following you and doing the assigned kingdom work. These last two years in John has shown me the importance of doing my share of kingdom work. I believe writing these Bible studies is part of that work I was called to do.