Friday, 2019-12-13

Bible Reference: John 21:19-22
Translation: Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: ¹⁹ Jesus said this to let him know what kind of death he would die to glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
²⁰ Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following, the one who had leaned around at supper that time to ask Jesus, “Master, which of us will betray you?” ²¹ Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord? What sort of death will he die?”^[f]
22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to live^[g] until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.”

OBSERVATION: What an eye opener and a keen reminder, to hear the words of Jesus in this Scripture that calls our attention back to self, instead of pointing fingers at our neighbor. In Jesus pointing out to Peter how important is is that he concentrate on his own relationship with Jesus, verses worrying about John, I was reminded of an old spiritual song that I learned later in life ‘It’s me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer, not my brother or my sister, but It’s me oh Lord’.

APPLICATION: Often we will pray for others because we want to be unselfish, and we want to show that we care and we love our Brother or Sister, so we pray primarily for others. But what a reminder by Jesus when Peter seemed concerned about what would happen to his Brother (John). Jesus basically told him that even if He allowed John to live all the way through until His return, it shouldn’t matter to Peter, because It was he (Peter) being told to follow Jesus. Listen how we hear this going on right where we’re at today my friend: Oh Lord, why did I come down with this awful disease? Don’t you see how much I give to the church? Don’t you see how faithful I am in attending all church services? Why, I even treat my neighbor like a loving relative, not as a stranger. Oh my Lord, don’t you see the neighbor down the street who never does any of these great things that I am so faithful in? Wouldn’t it make more sense that they go through this tough stuff that I’m now facing? It sounds to me that they are more deserving of hard times, than I, dear Lord. Friends, I am convinced from the Word of God that none of us are deserving of the grace God bestowed on us when He sent His only Son – a perfect, royal, infinite, sinless, Savior that went to the cross of Calvary with all the power of His Father, yet He endured the cross, so that we might have the means of eternal salvation – free from our earthly sin, and perfected before our awesome God. Imagine – undeserving, yet imagine appearing before a perfect God as a cleansed, forgiven son or daughter – because of Jesus? However, Please note that our cleansing is something granted by Jesus, because of our individual relationship with Him. Mom, nor grandma could pray you in to the kingdom. It’s like Jesus told Peter – forget about the others – it’s YOU I have called to follow me. So have YOU met my Savior? Have YOU settled a personal relationship with Him? It’s not your father, or your mother; not your brother or your sister; It’s not your neighbor or your boss, but it’s YOU that Jesus is calling to follow Him. Your decision could mean the difference between heaven and hell for you dear friend. Make sure that your position is clear, won’t you?

PRAYER: It’s me, it’s me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. It’s not my mother or my father, but it’s me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. It wasn’t just Peter who needed to give attention to himself and his state of salvation, or relationship with You, but it’s me oh Lord. Please help me to always seek a right, personal relationship with You, and not try to make that decision for my Brothers and Sisters. Lord, my readers and I approach Your throne in all humility and seeking forgiveness of our sin. We need you individually, oh Lord. Please forgive us for looking more to the faults and sins of our neighbors rather than the board that is in our own eyes. Thank You for Your Word that is in season at all times in our own personal lives. Forgive us where we fail, and help us always be aligned with Your perfect will for our lives precious Lord, so that others may see and believe. AMEN!