June 30 - A Relationship

June 30 – A Relationship

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. (John 21:20-25)

Whatever it was the Peter was worried about or that Jesus had planned for the disciple Jesus loved (whom everyone assumes to be John), there is a real message for us in this final passage. 

Sometimes it is just none of our business. 

We are so concerned with God’s relationship with everyone else, we forget to consider our own relationship with Him.

I have called quite a few churches home in my life and never have I been in a church that isn’t filled with busy-bodies nosing their way into the lives of church members, pastor’s families and any number of things – rarely to be helpful, always to push their ideas, complaints and selfish intentions on to others.

I’d like to have believed that it was always the older women (ok, and men) of the church who didn’t have anything else to do.  I’ve justified their behavior by attributing concern for the activities of the church or maybe the fact they were very active in younger days and don’t know how to let go or … the list can go on and on.  The truth of the matter is that they easily stick their nose in where it doesn’t belong simply because they are curious and nosy.

Jesus stopped that behavior immediately with Peter.  It was absolutely none of his business what the relationship between Jesus and John was and would be.  There was no justifying Peter’s behavior by acknowledging that Jesus had created such a close relationship or that Jesus had promised to build His church on the foundation, or that Jesus had given Him the keys to the kingdom. 

No – none of that mattered.  The relationship between Jesus and John was theirs and theirs alone.

The relationship between you and Jesus is simply that – between the two of you.  This book was written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that by believing you might have life!  Don’t waste your time worrying about anyone else – their sins, screw-ups, lack of faith, good things or bad things.  Grab the life that is offered to you in Jesus Christ.