We read John 21 today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. If you've been reading this blog for very long, you know that the Gospel of John is my favorite! Today I am meditating on verses 20-22. JESUS had just finished restoring Peter, who had denied JESUS three times on the night of His (illegal) arrest. JESUS gave Peter some instructions for his future life and ministry. Then, ever curious Peter asked JESUS this in verses 20-21:
20 But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following—the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You? 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, Lord, what about this man?
The response from JESUS is found in verse 22:
22 Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me!
I LOVE this! JESUS' response, in MY paraphrase, sounds something like this:
"My plans for him are between him and ME! MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! You have already received my instructions for you, now FOLLOW ME!" And, of course, it would all have been said by JESUS with the greatest of LOVE! He is saying the very same thing to you, to me and to the entire Body of Christ, including ALL who are in the ministry, today! 2 Corinthians 10:12:
Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.
AMEN! With all of the attacks going on today among born again believers towards those with whom they disagree, our REAL job of reaching the lost has taken a back seat, if it has any seat at all, among some believers! HE said that the world would KNOW us by our LOVE! That LOVE should be without exception! When we see another believer doing something that we deem as sin, our job is to pray for them! Pray that the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened to KNOW what adjustments must be made in their lives in order for them to walk in the fullness of the Blessing of God! We get NO rewards in Heaven for being right about our assumptions of others, but we DO get abundant rewards for being about our Father's business, in the way, place and form that HE has called us to! Let THAT be your guiding standard, and learn to cast the care of those with whom we disagree over on JESUS! HE is well able to care for, through love and correction by His Word, His own children! AMEN! Here ios Hillsong UNITED with "Glimmer In The Dust":
Shalom in Him!
