"You Follow Me!"

John 21:17-22 (Jesus and Peter)
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk whereever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"

Such a personal, intimate moment with Christ. Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to redeem himself by declaring his love for him three times after he had denied him three times. Jesus tells Peter the death he will suffer - he is crucified upside down for his faith. And when Peter tries to deflect or compare his journey to that of another, Jesus tells him not to worry about the path of another - Peter is to follow Jesus. Period.

After allowing Peter to redeem himself, Jesus moves on to business, so to speak. As though to say, Now that that's resolved, let's move forward. All is forgiven and now back to your journey, Peter. The next thing he tells him is that at the end of his earthly journey he will suffer an awful death - another will dress you, lead you where you do not want to go, there you will stretch out your arms and die. Then, he simply adds, "Follow me." Follow Jesus to the cross. Continue to follow Jesus all the days of your life now that you better understand what that means - just as He first called you, He calls you still (John 1:35-42).

So similar to the way we respond to tough news, Peter wants to know about the journey of another. Is someone else besides me going to suffer? Will I do this alone? Why doesn't Joe over there have to do it? Jesus' response is plain - my plans for another is irrelevant. You follow me. How often do we compare our journey with that of another. We think it's unfair to have to suffer when another does not. Yet we don't know what lies ahead for that person either. Jesus doesn't address the fact that John would also suffer an awful death. That's not the thing Peter, or we, should be focusing on. If we suffer when another does not, or before the other one does, it does not change the reason for our journey, our daily focus, or the meditation of our heart. Certainly dwelling on the plight of another does not help us get through our suffering.

Our purpose for living, for the way we live day to day, and even as we prepare for death is Christ. Period.

"You follow me!"

The Sound of the Saints

One of my favorite sounds is the sound of the congregation singing worship on Sunday mornings. Quite honestly, I used to be more critical than sentimental about it. I used to be distracted by someone singing off key near me. However, off key or on I now so love the sound of God's children lifting their voices to praise and worship Him.

I imagine us all before the throne, giving thanks to our King and Redeemer. I imagine the light of His glory pouring over us - those whom He has drawn near Him and loved. After the trials and tribulations of this world are behind us, we will forever sing His praise and worship with joy overflowing.

How I love the sound of God's children singing worship - for the glimpse it gives me of the promise that lies ahead.