But What About Him

"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.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?" - John 21:20-23

Have you ever been resentful about other people. Perhaps you felt that you were not getting your fair share of whatever was at a premium. Opportunity - love and affection - recognition. I was thinking about my brothers. If something was going to happen to me, typically that was not to my advantage, I wanted to know about the impact on my brothers. Maybe we got into a scrap over something, as brothers will do from time to time. I was the oldest and so I was held most accountable. But still, I wondered - but what about them?

Jesus had been talking to Peter about Peter's future. Jesus had just asked Peter 3 times if Peter loved Jesus. I am not a Greek scholar, but I was told once that the first time Peter replied that he loved Jesus like a friend, then a brother, and finally as Lord. Recall Peter had denied Jesus three times before His crucifixion. Frankly I don't know if the number three ties those events together, but I have heard some say it does. I will leave that to your study if you are so inclined.

So Jesus had just told Peter that later in life Peter's life would be very difficult. Peter turned and saw John and asked, "Well what about John?" Jesus' reply was, "What is that to you?" Almost like sibling rivalry. I remember the Smothers Brothers where Tommy would say to his brother, "Mom always liked you best!" For most of us that is more fear than fact. As far as Jesus was concerned, there was no favoritism - only the will of God. 

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." - Matthew 5:44-45

Are you ready to rest in that. Or is your love for God conditional? His love for you is not.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone