Sunday, June 2, 2013

Week 23: Jesus Loves us Uniquely

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:
  • Sunday: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17
  • Monday: 2 Samuel 20:14-21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18
  • Tuesday: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20
  • Wednesday: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23
  • Thursday: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24
  • Friday: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25
  • Saturday: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27
Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the Gospel of John:

Scripture: John 21:22, 23
"Jesus replied, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.' So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn't die. But that isn't what Jesus said at all. He only said, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?'"

Observation:
Jesus' statement to Peter was twisted into what is perhaps the first recorded rumor of the early church. When Peter saw John following along behind them, he wanted to know what would become of him. We are left to imagine why Peter asked this question...and why Jesus answered him the way he did.

Given Jesus' reply, it is possible that there had been a subtle rivalry for Jesus' attention between Peter and John. Peter was often the first to venture forth an answer or blurt out a comment (take, for example, the way he interacted with Jesus during the foot washing back in John 13...he was also the first to answer Jesus' question, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!"). Peter was also the only disciple who asked if he could walk with Jesus on water.

John, on the other hand, seemed to have a closer friendship with Jesus. Like Peter, he (and his brother, James) got carried away...and earned the title, Boanerges ("Sons of Thunder," Mark 3:17). Why? We find a glimpse in Luke 9:49-56. First, when John saw someone casting out demons in Jesus' name, he got in the person's face and told him to stop. Jesus quickly corrected him: "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you" (Luke 9:50). Right after that, when the members of a Samaritan town refused to let Jesus and his disciples pass through, John and his brother said, "Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?" (Luke 9:54b). Again Jesus had to rebuke him.

All in all, however, John appeared to have a closer friendship with Jesus than Peter did. John referred to himself (numerous times throughout the Gospel of John) as "the disciples whom Jesus loved." John was the one Jesus confided in at the Last Supper regarding Judas Iscariot. John was also the one Jesus trusted to care for his mother after he died (see John 19:26, 27).

Peter for his part wanted to prove that he was more eager than the other disciples in getting to Jesus first when the disciples spotted him on the beach, jumping off the boat and swimming to shore!

Yet even after Jesus gave Peter the chance to reaffirm his love and then entrusted to him the care of his sheep, Peter was troubled when he saw John trailing behind. "What about him?"

Jesus' reply is perfect: "What does it matter to you if he stays alive until I return?"

This is a rhetorical question. The fact is it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that Peter attends to his calling and to his unique relationship with Jesus.

Application:
We get into trouble when we compare ourselves with other people's relationship with Jesus Christ...and the service they render to him. Every single one of us has a unique relationship with Jesus. No two people relate to him exactly the same way.

The key is for us to focus on our relationship with Jesus. We mustn't fret about others or their accomplishments.

Be at peace. Jesus loves you for who you are. He wants you to be nothing more or less than you.

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for loving each of us for who we are. Please help us trust you in that and be at peace with it. And help us be true to everything that you've created and called us to be, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

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