What is that to you?

40 Days After the Resurrection

What is that to you?

 

Ever envious of someone else’s life?

Or, glad you did not have it as bad as someone else.

Both of these thoughts can get you into trouble.

Find out why in today’s devotional.

After Jesus rose from the dead,

He appeared to Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, Joanna,

the two men on the way to Emmaus and the disciples.

For 40 days, He showed Himself,

as proof to His resurrection from the dead.

 On one occasion, Jesus appeared to

His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias.

It is at this time that Jesus and Peter

reconciled Peter reaffirms his love for Jesus.

Peter became hurt when Jesus asked him the third time,

“Do you love Me?” Peter knew that Jesus knew how much he loved Him.

I wonder if Jesus was not responding

to Peter’s impulsive nature.

Peter is the type of guy that would act and think later,

like the time he stepped out of the boat and walked on water.

Could it be that Jesus wanted Peter to think very

seriously about his love for Him because his love

would lead him through some challenging times.

Jesus went on to tell Peter the type

of death he would glorify God with.

After Jesus says these things,

He says to Peter, “Follow Me!”

These words were very familiar;

they are the words Jesus asked Peter

at the beginning of their relationship

and they are the same words

He asks each one of us.

Peter must have questioned the destiny Jesus chose for him.

As He looked around,

and saw the disciple Jesus loved

(John) sitting there, Peter asks,

What about John?

 Peter fell into the trap of comparing himself with others.

How often do we gage God’s love for us by

what we see happening in someone else’s life?

The call of God is different in each one of us

and it has nothing to do with more or less love;

it has to do with God’s purpose.

Jesus answered Peter and said,

“What is that to you?”

What if John lived until the coming of the Lord?

Jesus’ words at the beginning of the journey

are the same at the end, “Follow Me!”

You and I have only one thing to concern

ourselves with and that is following Jesus!

Your journey will be different than mine.

When we look at one another’s lives,

we should neither be envious or grateful.

(Note: I am not talking about not having a grateful life.)

Because what matters is being faithful to following Christ!

Scripture Reading 

John 21:15-23 NIV

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,

"Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 

16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 

17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?"

He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself

and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands,

 and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 

19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.

Then he said to him, "Follow me!" 

20 Peter 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?")

21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?

You must follow me." 

23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said,

"If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"