No Comparison

As children of God, we tend to be tempted to compare ourselves with others; compare our faith, our obedience, our walk, our circumstances. Jesus speaks about this to Peter in John 21.

John 21:15-23

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." … 18  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."  19 (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 turns to look at John)…21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" 

First, Jesus asked Peter about Peter’s love. Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these.” Peter brought the others into comparison in Matt 26:30-34. “ And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'  32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."  33  Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."

Peter not only asserts that he would not deny Jesus, but seems to indicate that he considers that he will be more faithful than the others. So, I wonder if Jesus was reminding Peter of that attitude. I’m just “thinking out loud” here, but I wonder if Jesus was asking Peter, “What do you say now, do you still think that you love me more than the others do?” Maybe Jesus is reminding Peter that he is wrong to ever question another followers love for Him or faithfulness.

Back in John 21, Jesus told Peter that there would be a time that he would be taken where he did not want to go. Peter asked Jesus, “What about John?”  Jesus said, “Don’t worry about John, just follow me yourself.”

In this conversation, Jesus directs Peter to keep his eyes on Jesus, to pursue greater love for Him, and to be faithful in following Jesus without being worried about what his friends were doing.