Wednesday, February 21, 2007
So What About Him?
Making comparisons seems to be part of life. This is especially true when we think someone has a better deal than us or has been allowed to get away with murder. People tend to look for ways to justify their actions by finding somebody else who messed up even worse. We see others having special privileges or different stuff and want to know why.
The sinful heart makes comparisons and finds reasons to want what others have. Not only does it want what others have, it wants more than them. And if we are going to go through something tough, we want others to share in the misery. Simon encountered this challenge right after Jesus forgave and affirmed him.
Jesus then spoke a prophecy about how Simon in his old age would be taken and crucified. This is exactly what Simon feared most as a young disciple. But later in life, Peter embraced this reality with boldness and faith. Simon then asked what would happen to John. Maybe he wondered if all the disciples would share the same fate. He tried to compare his destiny to that of his fellow disciple, John. Yet he learned that they had different paths to take.
Jesus said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Basically, Jesus called Simon to follow the unique path set before him regardless of what would happen to other disciples. Making comparisons tend to get us in trouble. Jesus is the only true measuring stick for the devote follower of Christ.
Jesus wanted Simon to follow Him. That is the call of a disciple to be like Jesus.
The sinful heart makes comparisons and finds reasons to want what others have. Not only does it want what others have, it wants more than them. And if we are going to go through something tough, we want others to share in the misery. Simon encountered this challenge right after Jesus forgave and affirmed him.
Jesus then spoke a prophecy about how Simon in his old age would be taken and crucified. This is exactly what Simon feared most as a young disciple. But later in life, Peter embraced this reality with boldness and faith. Simon then asked what would happen to John. Maybe he wondered if all the disciples would share the same fate. He tried to compare his destiny to that of his fellow disciple, John. Yet he learned that they had different paths to take.
Jesus said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Basically, Jesus called Simon to follow the unique path set before him regardless of what would happen to other disciples. Making comparisons tend to get us in trouble. Jesus is the only true measuring stick for the devote follower of Christ.
Jesus wanted Simon to follow Him. That is the call of a disciple to be like Jesus.
