Follow Jesus

John 21:20-23

The previous verses showed us Jesus restoring Peter to service and telling him exactly what he was to do. 

But not only that, he also shared that it was not going to be easy.  It is made very clear to Peter in verse 18, and described to us in verse 19, that ultimately his devotion to Jesus will cost him his life.  Three and half years ago Peter heard these words and he hears them again, “Follow me.”

²⁰Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

After Jesus said to Peter to follow him we see Peter immediately doing so.  Does that sound familiar?  If you go back and read in Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4 and John 1 of the disciples first calling to follow Jesus we see the same thing.  Immediate obedience.  By Peter rising up and walking with Jesus he showed his willingness to pay the price.  That same call is summoning us to the same thing.  Yes, Peter messed up big time and probably each of us has also.  But there is forgiveness waiting if we will repent and surrender that sin or that fear to God and allow him to restore us.  Look at what Peter became.  Do you think Satan tried to bring up that past?  Peter had to let go of the past and look at what God did with him in the future. 

Let go of the past and let God transform you into the servant he wants you to be for his glory.  That is not going to look the same in each of our lives.  As Peter and Jesus start walking along the shoreline, Peter looks over his shoulder and asks Jesus about John.  Jesus has just described what was going to be required of Peter. 

You may say, “How do you know it is John?” First, John never refers to himself by name.  Second, by process of elimination.  Peter is doing the questioning and the one following is described in the same way as earlier at the Passover and at the Cross.  Peter’s question may have been out of concern for John and the other disciples but it is met with somewhat of a rebuke.

²²Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³So 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?” ²³So 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?”

Jesus had just restored Peter and personally called him to a specific task.  Jesus had just said, “Follow me!” and Peter did so.  But again it wasn’t long before Peter took his eyes off Jesus. Remember from verse 20?  It said Peter turned and looked at John. Now Peter’s inquiry may have been out of concern and we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ and have love and concern for them.  We definitely should have a desire for everyone to fulfil God’s call in their life and to live it to its fullest for the glory of God.

But we personally have been called to serve God in a specific way.  If we get focused on other people so much and look at what they are doing it can cause problems.  Pride could set in.  You are a leader and everyone seems to turn to you and you think no one can do it like you and boy these people really love me. Jealousy could set in.  Maybe someone seems to be more in the spotlight.  Maybe because of certain talents people have a competition sets in to see who is better, instead of allowing God to use your talents collectively for the Lord.  And boy does that create a mess.  Maybe you think you don’t have anything to offer and discouragement could set in. 

May I remind you today that if you are a true follower of Jesus Christ he has a task for you.  You are a part of the body of Christ and the whole body needs to be doing what it is supposed to be doing for the body to be healthy.  Read Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians Chapter 12:12-31.

2 Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 20 says, Therefore we are ambassadors of Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

That’s a good place to start!  Follow Jesus!!!!

Dale