Scripture to Read: John 21:20–23
Most of us are very much like Peter. Even as we read, study, and memorize God’s Word, we may be thinking in the back of our mind, well, so and so needs to hear this too. After Jesus told Peter, “Follow Me,” God had John record this in John 21:20–23, Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23 Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” Peter, though he knew Jesus was speaking directly to him, wanted to know from Jesus what He expected out of John. That is our human nature; we know what our Lord expects from us, but we often get distracted by what God does with everyone else. Jesus’ response is basically, “Peter, what does it matter what I expect from John? You stay focused on what I have for you to do and follow Me.” That is what we need to remember every day of our lives. We must obey what our Lord has commanded us to do.
Challenge & Application
• Why do we get sidetracked worrying about what others should be doing instead of staying focused on what Christ has commanded us to do?
• How do you guard your mind from being distracted and staying focused on your obedient walk with our Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!