John 21:20-23 (NIV)
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?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 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?”
Peter was still processing Jesus ‘words that seemed to indicate that at some time in the future, no indication of when, he would end up being crucified, just like Jesus. Even though John wrote that this was the kind of death by which he would one day “glorify God,” it didn’t feel like a positive thing to Peter right then.
That was when he noticed that John, the disciple Jesus loved, was following them. Peter pointed over his shoulder, indicating John, and asked, “What about him?” meaning, “Is John going to end up dying a horrible death like that, too?”
In view of Jesus’ forecast about him, it was only natural for Peter to wonder. Was he the only one of the now eleven apostles, the only one of the inner circle of three, that would die horribly, or was it a fate that would be shared by all of them?
Jesus’ answer was indirect, but His meaning was clear. Simply put, it didn’t matter what His plans were for John. Each disciple of Jesus has his or her own path to follow, his or her own contribution to make to God’s overall plan to save the world, and his or her own way of dying through which they will glorify God. Each one must not focus on or be curious about the others, but must simply follow Jesus, wherever the path takes them.
At the time that John wrote his gospel, he was well into his nineties, the last of the original apostles still living. And that fact gave rise to the rumor that by saying, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” Jesus was prophesying that John wouldn’t die until His return. But, as John was quick to point out, it wasn’t actually a prophecy. It was simply Jesus’ way of saying, “Don’t focus on other people and what I have planned for them. Just follow me!”
Father, we do have a tendency to watch other people, other Christians, and to concern ourselves with what You might have planned for them. But the proper focus for each of us is to simply keep our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) so that we can faithfully follow Him into our own future, our own destiny, regardless of where the path of others may take them. Thank You for this reminder. Amen.
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