The Gospel Of John Chapter 21 Pt. 3 Reminders About How To Run The Christian Race

Peter wanted to know about John's future. 

John 21:20-22  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? 21)  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22)

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 

After Jesus confronted Peter about denying Him 3 times, Peter turned around and saw "the disciple whom Jesus loved." This is the phrase John used to speak of Himself. He never wrote in first person. 

Peter, in obedience to his Master's orders, followed him, and turned about, seeing the disciple whom Jesus loved. John does not name himself, as thinking his own name not worthy to be preserved in these records.

At this point, Peter has confessed his denial and expressed his love for Christ, but he still had some of his "old man" left in him, to contend with.

Peter wanted to know what fate John would suffer, after Jesus had revealed that he would die, using words that hint at crucifixion. 

Peter was intently curious about John's fate.

Future things and secret things all belong to Jehovah. 

Deuteronomy 29:29  The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. 

Moses reminds us that secret things belong to God and this explains why Jesus corrected Peter for asking about John. It is the Lord who will determine how long any of us live.  

Jesus' words are a simple, yet authoritative rebuke to Peter. "What is that to thee?" is like Jesus saying to Peter, "This is not of your concern. You must focus upon what I have for you to do."

No one will ever demand answers from God when they stand before Him!

Romans 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 

Paul raised the rhetorical question "Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" 

It is absurd to think that any man, woman or child, would voice a complaint to God about their bodies, because He created them and instilled life into their soul. 

I knew a Christian who said he was preparing a list of questions that he was going to ask of God when he arrived in heaven. 

That is a most unbiblical view. Every person in scripture who enters the presence of God, are down on their hands and knees worshipping and praising Him.

No one is going to demand answers from God. 

Jesus gave Peter an imperative to "Follow thou me" which emphasizes the word "thou." 

Certainly, this is good advice for all Christians to observe. Let us serve Jesus in whatever area He allows us to serve. Let us not worry about what the Lord has planned for other believers. 

This is similar to a parent telling a child not to worry about his or her sibling, but to do the task that the parent gave them to do. 

John was the only apostle who survived the destruction of Jerusalem in 69 A.D. 

He outlived all other apostles, and as far as historians can determine, he died a natural death at nearly 100 years old. 

The word "tarry" means waiting, abiding, or enduring. 

We know that John wrote his gospel much later than the other evangelists. He wrote from the perspective of having witnessed the birth of the church. He witnessed the church being influenced by heresies.

The Spirit of God guided John to write those things which emphasized the deity of Jesus Christ, and served to get the churches back on track. 

He wrote three letters to the churches and ministered in Ephesus for a period of time, before being banished to Patmos.

The other disciples misunderstood what Jesus said. 

John 21:23  Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 

Jesus did not satisfy Peter's curiosity. Jesus explained that the His plan for His servants is determined by His will.  

It is equally certain that His plans for us are carefully adjusted to our nature, our special characteristics, and the service which we are best able to render. 

Peter was to be the Apostle of the tried and suffering. Contrary to Peter's natural impulsiveness, God used him to write about patiently waiting and suffering for Christ.

John was to behold and declare the apocalyptic vision of the Living Church. He was used of God to write about the triumphant advent of the Son of God.

The other disciples heard this conversation and assumed that Jesus said John would not die. The evangelist made sure to record that Jesus said he might tarry until His return. 

A faithful, eyewitness of the glory of Jesus Christ. 

John 21:24-25  This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25)  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. 

John verified that this was his eyewitness, Spirit guided testimony, and that it was true and accurate.

John ended his gospel by reminding us that Jesus did so many things during His earthly ministry that if they were all recorded, the books would fill the world.

Thoughts to Ponder...

This concludes our studies through the gospel of John. 

In this post, we learn that we should focus on what God is doing in our lives. 

We should not expend our energy wondering what God is doing in someone else's life.

God is sovereign over things, and He alone knows what is best suited for each Christian. 

Let us serve God heartily in whatever area of ministry He gives us to do. 

The following text from Paul shows us how we ought to love and serve our God, as we love and serve those around us.

I pray that the wonderful truths we have learned by studying John's gospel will help us live victoriously for our Lord and for His kingdom.

Bob

Romans 12:3-8  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5)  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.