We Follow Jesus | John 21:15-22

What if in your best friend's most difficult time you abandoned them and denied even knowing them?

Would you assume the friendship is ruined? What would you think the conversation you had afterwards would look like?

Well, if you are unfamiliar with this story, Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, denied knowing Him three times after He was arrested. Jesus was arrested and then crucified, and His friend just cowered in fear.

The Scripture we are looking at today is in John 21, after Jesus rose from the dead. He and Peter had a much needed conversation where Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, and Peter says yes all three times. Jesus told him to feed His sheep: He gave him his purpose!

Jesus had grace and mercy for Peter and made sure that he knew He was not done with him. Peter's mistakes had not disqualified him from the work he had been called to.

But, then, the story takes an interesting turn. Listen to this in verses 18-19, Jesus said, "'Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.' Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, 'Follow me!'”

What stands out to me is that after this really serious moment, Peter immediately asked Jesus about someone else. He wanted to know about Jesus' plan for another one of the disciples: John.

John recorded this in verses 20-22: "Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, 'Lord, who is going to betray you?') When Peter saw him, he asked, 'Lord, what about him?' Jesus answered, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.'"

Ever been there? I know I have. When you want to compare what you are facing to what others face. You might even start to wonder, "Why me?"

I have been studying the life of Peter all year, and it became clear to me pretty early on that a consistent factor in the life of Peter was his need to be humbled. (And how relatable is that?)

Jesus repeated to Peter just in this one conversation that his call was to follow Him: he was following Jesus. Jesus was the one leading the way, not him.

In reality, it should not have mattered to Peter what John's future would look like compared to his because Peter was following Jesus. Whatever Jesus called him to do, he was to do. He did not need to be looking around, comparing his calling to anyone else's, because his calling was to Christ alone. In his pride, he compared.

Are you comparing your journey to someone else's? Or, are you questioning God because your life is harder than you expected it to be? Or, are you simply wanting to be the one in control of your life?

I hope you will let what Jesus said to Peter speak to you, too: you must follow Him! He is your Lord. You are not following yourself, another person, or the path to an easier life. You are called to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus!

It takes a whole lot of humility to live a life to this level of surrender, but it is where we find true peace and healing. You will not find peace in thinking about yourself and your plans for your life: you find peace in surrendering to Jesus and His Will for your life.

Peter eventually learned this as he went on to write in 1 Peter 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Humble yourself today, and realize that true comfort is found in commitment to Christ.