What's It To You?

We all know the story of how Peter is reinstated by Jesus in John 21 to become a pastor and to lead in the building of the church.

You know the story. Peter had denied Jesus three times and, poetically, Jesus asks Peter three times in this episode if Peter loves him.

While most Bible studies on this passage may focus on the three "Do you love me?" questions, I think it is compelling to consider that the most important question Jesus poses to Peter isn't the first, second, or third question, but rather the fourth.

Fourth?

Yes. Jesus most certainly is making an important point with Peter regarding the trifecta "Do you love me?" query. Perhaps, however, an equally vital spiritual issue for Peter is embedded in this fourth inquiry by Christ.

Question #4 is found embedded in John 21: 19-22:

"Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"  ²⁰Peter 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?") ²¹When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"  ²²Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."


As Jesus provides direction and focus to rehabilitate this fisherman, we get a glimpse at a "heart issue" that plagues Peter and so many of us in our spiritual journey.

I would argue that Peter's issue isn't that he failed to love Jesus.  No, Peter deeply loved his Rabbi, teacher and friend. Peter, like many believers, falters because he fails to focus on the right thing.

Jesus simply commands Peter to "Follow me!" This command is an echo dating all the way back to Christ's initial calling of the original disciples: "Come, follow me."  "Obey my commands."

Instead of maintaining a singular focus on Jesus' command, Peter instead is focused on competing with John. "Lord, what about him?"  Peter totally misses the point. He's supposed to focus on following Jesus, not how he stacks up with others.

We are naturally competitive critters, we humans. And as citizens of Liberty, we're conditioned for equal or better treatment. We want our fair share. And to make sure we maintain our social standing, we're constantly working to "keep up with the Jones'".

When we focus on jockeying for position, comparing if we're getting dealt a better hand in life, or subtly working to accumulate more toys than our neighbor, how can we possibly maintain a singular focus on following Jesus? The simple answer? We can't.

Peter's issue wasn't his love for Jesus. Nor is ours, much of the time. Peter's issue was taking his focus off of Christ and placing it on less important things.

And you know what? Jesus calls him to the carpet. "What's that to you, Peter!? You must follow me!"

The next time we're tempted compare our situation to others, to make a power play or to keep up with those pesky Jones', we need to question our motives. Will this help me focus on following Jesus or is it a distraction?

The answer to that question could be life changing.  It was for Peter, and consequently, for all of Christendom.