TGIF
One of my Facebook friends reposted this piece from five years ago…I think it still works today.
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever 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 also had leaned back against him during the supper 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!”So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?””
(John 21:18–23 ESV)
Life isn’t fair.
If you’re older than a toddler this shouldn’t be a revelation to you.
It did seem to catch Peter by surprise, however.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that “fair” isn’t promised in this life.
What’s promised is a journey, what’s given is a command…”follow me”.
Someone from Campus Life told Peter that God loved him and had a wonderful plan for his life.
Jesus then told Peter the plan in the verses above…capture and crucifixion.
The plan didn’t sound wonderful…or fair.
He looked down the beach and saw John following them…”the disciple Jesus loved”.
(One wonders if John called himself that in front of the other disciples…)
Peter reacted as most of us would, “if things are going to be hard for me, what about him?”
Jesus basically told Pete to mind his own business…and follow Him.
This morning, some of us feel like Peter.
We don’t think this is the wonderful plan we signed up for.
Maybe you planned for rest, but new labors have become your lot.
Maybe you planned on being retired like your friends and all you see is working until you die.
Maybe you planned on a new life when the nest emptied, but the nest is full again.
Maybe you planned on health and health has fled.
Maybe you planned on financial security and there are neither finances or security.
Maybe, you don’t understand why you are carrying burdens others aren’t.
There are no simple answers, no sweet platitudes.
There is only a promise and a command.
Your journey isn’t over.
Follow Him…until it is
And to think, how hard we who are parents try to be fair.. ..
“Mommy, that’s not fair!” Weeel .
Sometimes, truth is harsh.
I love this. I think what helps me is to think that life is not fair, but God certainly is. Perfectly so. Now how can I say that when there’s so much obvious inequity in this world? And God allows it. So how is God fair? Well, His Kingdom is not of this world. God sent the very best He had in the person of His Son. His Son took upon Himself the sins of every human soul who has ever lived and will ever live. Total equity. He wants ALL to be saved. That’s the fairest act I can ever imagine. We all have the choice.
Mike E @ 11:40
To quote someone else here: ” you nailed it! “. 😉
Can you imagine Jesus telling you how you’re going to suffer and die? Good grief!
I think I’d be asking the same question if I were Pete.
I’ll take just over “fair”.
The tower of Silom… everybody dies eventually.
A good word and true word, Michael. One day, this may all make sense, but for right now we cling to “follow me”, and pray that we don’t lose faith along the way.
I’ve been pondering why Jesus would tell Peter how he would die. Peters reaction is an interesting contrast with the boldness he showed before Christ’s resurrection. Now he’s told he will suffer and die a brutal death for Christ’s sake and his reaction is a bit different. Yet he continues to follow Him. What a fascinating character study that shows the power of Christ in a very fallible human we can all identify with. Peter learned in the matter of years what may take me a lifetime to learn.
“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” – Bonhoeffer