Comparisons (Part 2)

Scripture — John 21:15-22 (NRSV)

Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. (This was the disciple who had leaned back against Jesus’ chest at the meal and asked, “Lord, who is the one who is going to betray you?”) So when Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to live until I come back, what concern is that of yours? You follow me!”

Devotion

Previously we saw that Jesus balanced the equation for Peter and refocused him on what it means to follow Jesus. The comparison should be between who Jesus is and how far we are off from how he made us. Peter should have recognized the gifts of God. In this chapter alone Peter has had the benefit of people who chose to remain with him (21:3). He had great success catching fish and some divine instruction (21:6, 11b). He recognized the risen Savior (21:7). He had breakfast cooked by the sovereign creator of the world and he ate among friends (21:13). He was even told how his life would end and that he would die giving God glory (21:18-19). And he was reminded that love is the crucible of following Jesus (21:15-17, 19).

Our postmodern imminent framework often relegates God and God moments to the sacred fringes of our lives. But when we read the Gospel accounts we see excessive stories of Jesus’ presence in markets, Gentile courts, and sickness camps. He’s at all kinds of meals: wedding dinners, H&R Block dinners, last dinners, and breakfast. He shows up at heinous devil encounters, demon-possessed graveyards, and atrocious execution hills. He walks on obscure roads to the less-known and the least attractive cities. He sends his presence toward people who are convinced that he doesn’t need to show up all he has to do is “say the word.” He’s late and somehow still on time. His words embody his presence. He told his disciples that there would not be an age where he would not be with them. And occasionally he shows up in temples, flipping tables and tearing curtains from the top to the bottom.

If you compare moment to moment it would seem like the conclusion is that Jesus is everywhere. The doctrine and theologians call that omnipresence. Practical theologians who do the comparison correctly conclude that it is quite certainly true that goodness and mercy follow after us all the days of our lives.

But Peter the Apostle is still a disciple. He is still learning. His comparison should have led to inexpressible gratitude. But he repeated the same thing he did while walking on water toward Jesus. He took his eyes off what Jesus said—follow me—and started to compare himself to something else. On the boat, it was a storm. And on the beach, it was John.

“What about John?”

You could spend your days fascinated with the paths and privileges of other people or people groups. You could watch the advancement of others in industry and wonder why it seems so like your wins take so long. You could dwell on gazing at others’ setbacks as though you have none. They are all forms of “what about….?” The answer from Jesus will always be the same for us in those comparisons. _What difference is that to you? _Why does anything else matter in that manner if you understand whose presence you are in?

If there is something to compare the more sufficient equation might be this: Where would we be without Him? How much success would you really have if God was not involved? Peter was reminded that the Lord gets to be sovereign and whatever he does with the rest of creation, is his will. All Peter needs to do, is what we are called to do also: follow Jesus.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved (John 21:20).