Dominican Republic #2: Questions

Prior to this trip I was asked to write a series of devotions that reflect upon questions asked in the Gospel of John.  Each day the team gathered to read the Scripture and then shared thoughts and sang along with the guitar we brought along.  Here is one of these devotions that applies to most of us.

 

“Lord, what about him?

Read John 21:18-24

   Peter has been given a glimpse into his future as a follower of Jesus.  As a strong willed and dominant personality, Peter has made decisions and set out a course for his life, but Jesus says a day will come when he will suffer greatly for the testimony of his Master.

   And so the question comes on Peter’s tongue, “What about him?”  He sees another one of the eleven and would like to know his destiny.  Isn’t this part of our human tendency, to want to know what will happen to others, partly out of concern but also partly out of idle curiosity?

   Jesus is clear in showing Peter that what happens to the other disciple is not his business.  The most important thing is that Peter keeps following Jesus.  He redirects the focus of Peter’s life to Himself instead of side issues and comparisons.  The journey will be different for each of God’s children, and that is OK.

  At times when one child in a family is singled out to do a particular chore, the quick response is, “Well, what about my brother?  What about my sister?  Why do I have to do all the work around here?”  It can be easy in our families and workplaces to see and magnify inequalities or to grumble about something that is not fair.  However, first we need to focus on Jesus.  In light what he endured for us, we may reconsider the situation or we will approach it with more gentleness.

Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am God

-from Psalm 46:10a