What about Him Jesus?

John 21 (After a deep personal meeting with the the risen Christ in which Jesus restores Peter 3 times for the 3 denials, receives the blessed command to Follow Christ again and learns of his upcoming death) 20:Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved (John) following them ...v21 and Peter asked "Lord what about Him?" 22 Jesus answered, " If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You follow me."

A common, loud, reoccurring conversation at our house between Cal and Alison (my two elder children) goes something like this every night as I remind them of their chores: (Alison) Dad, it is not fair that Cal gets to take out the trash, why can't I take out the trash. I always have to feed Riley (our 11 year old, wonderful, female lab) and there are two bowls. I have two bowls and there is only one trash can. (Cal) Dad, tell her that her job is easier, she does not even have to go outside. She just has to get two bowls, and fill them with food and water, that's easy! (Alison and Cal) Why do I have to do this same thing every night, it is not fair. (me) Because I am your father, you need to trust me, and you should want to help your family and we need you to do what is asked of you!

When you look at Peter in John 21 above it should be a warning to us, especially me. You see, I have lived much of my Christ following life in frustration as I tried to figure out how Jesus wants to work in others instead of letting Him change me to change others. Immediately after Jesus had restored and Blessed Peter immensely, Peter chose not to praise and worship the active Grace that Christ had just shown Him, instead he questions Him about John's role and future. Jesus sternly, yet lovingly, corrects that and says in a way "John is my concern! I am your concern! Follow me!".

Isn't it so much easier to see ministry gaps and sin in others and spend time evaluating other's roles and issues rather than letting Christ have His way with us, so that we become a vessel of His glory that changes the world around us. Let me be clear, Christ wants us to help others, and change the world, but only if we Follow Him into our ministry roles that he has called us to. That is obedience that He wants to reproduce, not a look a like disobedience that we can fake as we make our own plans, that quota is already over exceeded in the world today. Our callings are fueled through the ministry of Christ and the Holy Spirit in us, so that the world sees a Holy Love, Truth and Love that is Divine and contains Majestic healing and restoration powers that are God's alone.


So if you are like me and have thought, "Lord, it isn't fair, that person looks so much more important or blessed than me, and You are asking me to do this obscure thing over there!". Let us pause and understand that He has spoken on that issue clearly in the above text and said in effect: That is not your concern, you follow Me! Will we be obedient to our savior? Or, will we continue to see ourselves as the solution for everyone else instead of Him? Perhaps more importantly, will we quit questioning God's authority in other's and start submitting to His authority over us! I am pretty sure that is the key ingredient to following Him!