It’s Your Pathway
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 rumour 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?” John 21:20-23
The theme of this last section in John’s gospel is the different parts that the two main actors are now going to play. Peter and (almost certainly) John have been on stage for much of what’s happened so far. But now their paths are going to diverge.
After hearing what Jesus has told him about his own future, ‘Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.’ Jesus had obviously taken Peter aside from the others and ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ (probably John) was following just a little way behind them.
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”’ This was not an altogether surprising question because Peter and John were so close. ‘Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Jesus had only moments earlier told Peter that it was imperative he follow Him (21:19). What John’s future held was not Peter’s concern. While Peter would die by crucifixion, John might survive until Jesus’ return, but the biggest issue for Peter was to follow Jesus. He was still licking his wounds from having this command sorely tested. Overly concern about John’s future was not to be Peter’s focus.
‘Because of this, the rumour spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die.’ Some people believed Jesus would return during John’s lifetime so the gospel’s final editors added this explanation, ‘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?”’ Jesus’ statement was prefaced by the words, “If I want him to remain” and this had been missed as the story of the conversation between Jesus and Peter was passed on between believers.
Jesus wants us all to follow Him. That’s true for every believer, but our obedience will take us down different pathways. Don’t compare yourself to others. You’re not called to do what others are called to do and others aren’t called to do what you’re called to do. Find your pathway and stick to it.
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