Prayer: Gracious God, let me learn from your through your Word, in Christ. Amen.
John, Apostle and Evangelist
22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”
Are you one of those who reads skips to the end of the book to see what happens? I’m not. It just seems wrong not read the book as the author intended and to be surprised at the end. Jumping ahead is like sneaking into your mom’s closet to see what she bought you for Christmas. Our devotion writer quips; “If the ending is somehow revealed to them prematurely, the story would be spoiled and they might not finish the book.” Of course, there is the other side. Those who really like to know what is going to happen. I mean there is no written law…like ripping off the warning tags on pillows.
Peter wanted to know, but Jesus fairly asked, “what is that to you?” Reason being; “Why does it matter what God does in someone else’s life?” Are we worried about justice? Are we worried that Jesus will do more for others than ourselves? Will he give more love and grace to those we might thing as undeserving? Saying or reading this might seem foolish, but let’s face it, human logic is not the same as God’s wisdom. We are too competitive. Too caught up in our narrow view of justice for all. Besides, some people need forgiveness more than others…😊.
Our devotion writer declares; “Jesus reminds us that life is not a competition. Christ’s saving love is enough for everyone.”
Prayer: “God, help me to rejoice in the ways you shower all people with your gracious love, through Christ. Amen.”
John 21:20-25
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus and the Beloved Disciple
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” 23 So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Gary's Devotion Comments 