WHAT IS THAT TO YOU?
Then Peter, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
John 21:20-22 NKJ 20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
Peter was asking an age-old question. What about this guy? Jesus had just told Peter about his future. Jesus had asked Peter to feed His sheep, to take care of His people. He then instructed Peter to follow Him.
For some reason, Peter wanted to know about John. But whether his interest stemmed from envy or just curiosity, Jesus had an answer for Peter. Jesus communicated that whatever happened in John's life was between Jesus and John, not Jesus, John, and Peter. And by repeating His instruction to Peter, Jesus made it clear - Peter, you don't concern yourself with John. You follow me.
APPLICATION
How often do we concern ourselves with what other people are doing in the Kingdom of God? But if we follow the pattern Jesus set up with Peter, our mantra becomes - what is that to me?
If others are not doing what we think they should be concerning their walk with the Lord - what is that to me? If others don't meet our standards or get off on tangents - what is that to me?
Asking this question will help us stay out of judging, criticizing, and gossip. So many things about others do not concern us. It's between them and Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord, help me keep my focus on You and my role in following You, not on other people. Just following You well should keep me plenty busy.