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.ā(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, āFollow me.ā
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, āLord, who is it that is going to betray you?ā When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, āLord, what about this man?ā Jesus said to him, āIf it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!āSo 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, āIf it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?āā
(John 21:18ā23 ESV)
Life isnāt fair.
If youāre older than a toddler this shouldnāt be a revelation to you.
It did seem to catch Peter by surprise, however.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that āfairā isnāt promised in this life.
Whatās promised is a journey, whatās given is a commandā¦āfollow meā.
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 aboveā¦capture and crucifixion.
The plan didnāt sound wonderfulā¦or fair.
He looked down the beach and saw John following themā¦āthe disciple Jesus lovedā.
(One wonders if John called himself that in front of the other disciplesā¦)
Peter reacted as most of us would, āif things are going to be hard for me, what about him?ā
Jesus basically told Pete to mind his own businessā¦and follow Him.
This morning, some of us feel like Peter.
We donāt 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 donāt understand why you are carrying burdens others arenāt.
There are no simple answers, no sweet platitudes.
There is only a promise and a command.
Your journey isnāt over.
Follow Himā¦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 thereās 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. Thatās the fairest act I can ever imagine. We all have the choice.
Mike E @ 11:40
To quote someone else here: ” you nailed it! “. š
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.
Iāve been pondering why Jesus would tell Peter how he would die. Peters reaction is an interesting contrast with the boldness he showed before Christās resurrection. Now heās told he will suffer and die a brutal death for Christās 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.
āWhen Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.ā – Bonhoeffer