What About Him?

Scripture Reading: John 21

Today's Treasure: "When Peter saw him, he asked, 'Lord, what about him?' " (John 21:21)

John 21:15-23 records the famous scene when Jesus recommissioned Peter after his denial. I love this scene because it represents something of a do-over. In verse 19 Christ told Peter, "Follow me!" Three years earlier Peter heard the same words and, to his credit, he had done it. But he had done it in his own strength and with his own agenda. His own ambition. The result was, "Woman, I don't know him" (Luke 22:57), and that was the last time Peter warmed himself by a fire.

Ambition could not supply the motivation to follow Jesus where Peter would have to go. In John 21 Jesus repeated the one motivation that would suffice. Jesus said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" (John 21:17).

Oh, Beloved, can you see the significance? No other motivation will last! We might feed the sheep or serve the flock based on other motivations for a while, but only one thing will compel us to follow the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully to the death: love! No one had more spiritual tenacity than the apostle Paul, and he made no bones about what kept him on the path amidst unparalleled pain and persecution. In 2 Corinthians 5:14, he wrote, "The love of Christ compels us" (NASB). James 1:12 says the Lord has promised the crown of life "to those who love him."

You see, our callings may differ, but if we're going to follow Jesus Christ in the power of the crucified life, our compellings will be the same. Only love compels to the death. Dear one, life is hard. Opposition is huge. Circumstances will inevitably happen in all our lives that will defy all discipline, determination, and conviction. Love keeps burning when everything else disintegrates in an ashen heap. Pray for this one thing more than you pray for your next breath. I am convinced love is everything.

The New American Standard tells us that Peter was hurt because Jesus questioned his love a third time: "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Mind you, he was still drenched to the bone from his zeal. Jesus then prophesied the reason why Peter's love for Him would be so critical. Peter would be asked to glorify God by giving his own life. Only love would make him willing.

Then, as if to say, "Knowing all this and with your eyes wide open," Christ reissued the call, "Follow me!" Don't downplay it for an instant. The cost of the call was huge. We don't know what caused Peter to suddenly look behind him and see John following them. Perhaps he groaned audibly when he heard Christ foretell his closest friend's future.

When Peter saw John, he asked, " 'Lord, and what about this man?' "

At times like these I wish we had the Bible in its completely inspired and original form on videotape! We would be far better equipped to interpret a scene accurately if we could see the expressions on the face of the speaker and hear his tone of voice. Since we have no such help, words like Peter's may have as many different interpretations as I have commentaries. I'm looking at two different commentaries right this moment, and each says something different about Peter's motivation for asking this question. Here's the good news: that means we can speculate without getting too far off base. What do you think was in Peter's voice? Do you think his question was out of deep concern for John as one of my commentaries supposes, or did it rise out of jealousy or some other negative emotion as the other suggests?

No matter what you interpretation may be, I think we all can admit that the question plagues us as well at times, no matter what our reason for asking. Perhaps you have

served near someone else, and God has called you to suffer some pretty difficult circumstances while he or she seems to flourish with relative ease. Or perhaps your heart has broken for someone who works so hard and serves so diligently, but difficulty is her constant companion. Maybe one of your children has seemed so blessed and gifted by God and you keep looking to the other asking, "Lord, what about him?"

Whatever your experience or mine, I know we can benefit from Jesus' command in John 21:22: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me!" Does His response speak to you as strongly as it does to me in times when I wonder what God is doing in someone else's life?

Beloved, over and over Jesus tells us, "You can trust Me!" In this scene He is saying to His present-day disciples, "You can trust Me with you, and you can trust Me with them. I am the same God to all of you, but I have a different plan for each of you. You won't miss it if you keep following. Remember, I've been a carpenter by trade. Custom blueprints are My specialty. God's glory is My goal. Now fill your canteen to the brim with love and follow Me."

Lord Jesus, You are trustworthy in all things. I've trusted You with my life, now please help me trust You with my death. When You give me instructions, help me focus my eyes on Yours and submit my will to You. Let me do this out of love. Forgive me for looking around and wondering why others aren't suffering along with me. If I had Your omniscient perspective, I would see that the cross I bear is not as big as I've thought. Glorify Yourself through my life and my death, my happiest times and my deepest sufferings. In Your most worthy name I pray, Amen.

Adapted from Beloved Disciple, by Beth Moore, pages 77-82. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003. Used by permission.