Read: John 21:20-25
In the final verses of the last Gospel, Jesus is speaking to Peter telling him matters of life and death. It is a serious conversation ending with the words, “Follow Me.” But it is at this point Peter turns, sees John, and asks Jesus, “What about this man?” I hear a rebuke in the answer Jesus gives. ”What is that to you? You follow me.”
Between verses 19 and 22, these words, “Follow Me,” are spoken twice, confirming their importance. But it seems Peter is too concerned about John and less concerned about himself. This leads me to ask myself, “Does the spiritual walk of others distract me from my own? Do I worry or think about the lot of others more than my own? Am I in competition with another, or do I rejoice when they rejoice? Do I compare myself with others making trouble for myself and those whom I think about?”
Following Jesus offers us the experience of knowing Him more fully. Following Jesus gives us something worth talking about. I do not want to get distracted by the walk of others, the path they choose, or the things they do or don’t do, to the point of not following Him. It is when we follow Jesus that our stories unfold.
In verse 25, the last verse of the final Gospel, it is written that Jesus did many other things which if they were written one by one, the world could not contain them. There are blank pages found at the end of many Bibles. I think this would be a great place for us to start writing our own gospel. Remember, gospel means “good news.” As you follow Jesus, what’s your good news story?
The Gospel of John is the final gospel of our written Scriptures. But it is not the last one written. You have one to write, as do I. What’s your story?
“We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right.
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light.
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright.
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.”
We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations
By H. Ernest Nichol
~ Beth Bankert, Writer
“Light My Path,” by Deana Harvey, Artist
