Our Task Is Not To Figure Out What God Wants Others To Do But To Be Sure We Are Doing What He Wants Us To Do.

Keeping On

“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.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:20-25 NIV).

Setting the Scene

No sooner was Peter on his feet faith-wise than he was back to his impulsive ways. John was following the two and must have been a little surprised when Peter pointed toward him and asked Jesus, “What about him?” Peter may simply have wanted to include John in the conversation, but it’s likely he was practicing the time-honored tactic of shifting weight. Lord, I’m feeling a lot of responsibility right now with the “Feed my sheep” command. So what’s John going to have to do?

Jesus basically told Peter that His plans for John were none of Peter’s business. The underlying point is that we get distracted from our purpose when we compare others’ assignments with ours. Our task is not to figure out what God wants others to do but to be sure we are doing what He wants us to do.

Next, Jesus echoed one of the very first statements He ever said to Peter: “Follow me.” This is an unchanging word from Jesus to each of us: Follow Me. It takes belief and gives it the action of trust. Jesus isn’t looking for a nod of agreement from us; He’s looking for a life of obedience and learning. If we’re not following, we may not be trusting either.

John must have chuckled as he noted that a rumor had spread because of Jesus’ words that he would be alive at Christ’s return, which John gently deflected. John would have been quick to make the same point Peter had needed to hear: “Follow Jesus!”

Getting Personal

What is the evidence from your life that you are following Jesus?

Why should you keep your relationship with Jesus current rather than think of it as a decision made sometime in the past?

If Jesus were to come back today, what things about your life would he find pleasing?

We are not to waste our time comparing what God has called us to do with what God has called others to do. Our task is simple: Follow.

Talking to God

Explore Christ’s command, “Follow me,” today. Ask the Lord to make you aware of the next steps that you should be taking. Affirm your willingness to submit to God’s leadership.

Ref: Veerman, D. R.  (2011-08-25). Life Application Study Bible Devotional.

Our Task Is Not To Figure Out What God Wants Others To Do But To Be Sure We Are Doing What He Wants Us To Do.

What is the evidence from your life that you are following Jesus?

We are not to waste our time comparing what God has called us to do with what God has called others to do. Our task is simple: Follow.