When God Says …
“Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?” (John 21:20-21 KJV).
Exemplifying our human tendencies of comparing with others, when the Lord told him “follow me”, Apostle Peter turns to curiously see his fellow Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, closely following behind. With Peter asking the Lord ‘what shall this man do?’ illustrates the dynamics of their vertical individual relationships with the Lord and their horizontal bond amongst each other as the Lord’s disciples. Again, John identifies himself in the third person, as the one who leaned against the Lord’s breast at the Last Supper citing his close bond with Christ Jesus. Peter's question about John's fate reveals our human propensities to compare journeys with others, especially in the face of uncertainty about one's own path.
The Lord Jesus' command "follow me" was meant to redirect Apostle Peter's attention from John’s destiny to his own responsibility to follow Him. The Lord’s instruction serves as a vital reminder that individual callings are distinct, and our focus should remain on personal assignment rather than fellow believer’s purpose. The Lord essentially tells Peter that the specifics of John’s future are not his concern, reinforcing the message that each believer's path under God's guidance is uniquely crafted and designed person to person. Discipleship means resting in God’s grace, looking unto Christ Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). We look to Him, not our fellow believers. In doing so, we are equipped to fulfill our individual missions amidst our broader collective journey of faith in the body of believers.
We are to remember always, it’s not by our self-effort. We walk by faith in the good works of the Lord already prepared beforehand. It is written: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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