Reflecting on John 21:15-23“What is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:22)
Three times Peter denies Jesus, three times Jesus recommissions Peter.
Jesus is not rubbing it in, He is matching His grace to Peter’s failure.
The Lord knows each one of us personally, our strengths and our weaknesses.
He invites us all, just as we are, but He does not leave us this way.
He fashions out of Peter a dynamic missionary for the kingdom of God.
Sometimes we compare ourselves to other Jesus followers.
Why do I have to go through these trials, why do others seem to have it easier?
Never mind, says Jesus, your journey is designed for you… you must follow me!
Jesus’ kingdom purpose for each person is unique, and important.
My business is not to figure out someone else’s purpose, but to fulfill mine.
My tendency is to be critical of closed-minded, ungracious, self-righteous Christians.
‘Lord, what about them, what are you doing about them, how can You put up with them?’
But the Lord looks back at me and says “What is that to you? You must follow me.”
What the Lord does with them is His business; what I do with Him is my business.
I have enough of my own issues and struggles; this is where my focus should go!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I have been invited to follow You and care for Your sheep too. Help me to be faithful where I am, and to rely on Your grace when I fail or struggle. Help me stay focused on how I am following You, including when I relate to those I am critical of.
I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and my relationship to Him. The love I have fo my Saviour needs to colour my attitude toward others. They need to see Christ Jesus living in me. i always need the upward look and not the downward look – for where does my help come from? May His Spirit continue to lead and guide mww always as I live for Jesus.