26th Question – What is That to You?
The call to follow Jesus is individual. Whether discipleship or holiness, however intimate Jesus wishes you to grow with Him should be your primary and single focus. Worrying or inquiring about others is merely distracting.
He (Jesus) said to him, “Follow Me.” Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me” [John 21:19-22, parenthesis and bold text added].
Having just been restored to intimate fellowship with Jesus, Peter’s eyes were still wandering. He repeated what he did when walking on the water—removing his eyes from Jesus and looking around. Subsequently, he started sinking. Once again, he took his eyes off Jesus right after His call to, “Follow Me.”
Response
Jesus’ question, though initially and seemingly callous, is bold and on target. My sole mission is to follow Jesus Christ daily as closely and obediently as possible. As a runner in a race, ignoring everything and everyone around me, I must keep my eyes on the finish line of faith. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” [Hebrews 12:1-2].
Even comparing myself with others—my call, walk, intimacy with Christ— is unwise and inappropriate. “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” [2 Corinthians 10:12]. Each person, as part of the Body of Christ, has a unique mission and purpose to fulfill. Companionship is great; comparison is not.
May we respond to Jesus’ “Follow Me” with an immediate, wholehearted, “Yes, Lord!” First, “Speak, Lord, I’m listening” [1 Samuel 3:10]. Then, “Send me, Lord; I’m willing” [Isaiah 6:8].
When life on this earth has run its course, may we find ourselves so passionately devoted to following Jesus that we can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” [2 Timothy 4:7]. May my final call to follow Him be His call to glory. Amen! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” [Revelation 22:20].
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens
Featured Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
