WHAT IS THAT TO YOU?

"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?' Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, ‘But Lord, what about this man?' Jesus said to him, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.'" (John 21:21-22)

Jesus had risen from the dead, and was dining with His disciples on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. Prior to the meal, He had caused them to catch a great multitude of fish, after they had toiled fruitlessly all night. The Lord had prepared them fish and bread on an open fire, and invited them to bring some of what they caught. Peter drew in the net, containing 153 fish, and they sat down to eat.

Following their meal, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him–three times He asked him. Peter answered in the affirmative all three times, and Jesus responded "Feed My lambs, " "Feed My sheep, and "Feed My sheep" (John 21:1-17). After this commission, the Lord divulged to Peter the manner in which he would die, bringing glory to God. "Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish" (v 18). The Spirit then says, "This He spoke, signifying by what death he [Peter] would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me'" (v 19). It must have been an extremely tender moment for both our Lord and Peter.

It was at this time that Peter posed the question of our text. As he turned around, his eyes fell upon John, that disciple whom Jesus loved. He is the one, the Spirit reminds us, "who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who betrays You?'" (v 20; 13:23-26). No doubt, here was a man in whom the Lord had special interest. Thus Peter, having heard about his own future, asked, "But Lord, what about this man?" (v 21). I do not know precisely why Peter asked the question, but I will assume it was for noble reasons. He knew John was not an ordinary man–even among the Apostles. Surely it would be advantageous to learn what had been planned for him.

Our Lord did not provide the kind of answer Peter was seeking. "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!" (NASB). Although gentle, there was a tone of rebuke in the answer. "What is that to you?" It is as though he said, "That is not your business" (NCV). This was outside of the matters that concerned Peter, and was not the matter Jesus was making known to him.

In this event, it appears as though Jesus had taken Peter aside to speak privately with him. The conversation was not a public one, as He was tenderly dealing with the disciple who had denied Him three times. As they began talking, John, the text says, was "following them," apparently intent upon hearing more from the blessed Lord. From one vantage point, it was not strange that Peter should ask about John. After all, he, with Peter, was part of that inner circle that was privy to special revelations about the Lord. They were on the Mount of transfiguration together, as well as when Jairus' daughter was healed, and in the Garden of Gethsemane the night Jesus was betrayed (Matt 17:1; Mk 5:37; Matt 26:37). Perhaps Jesus would include John in the present conversation also.

Jesus, however, informs Peter that his question was about matters that did NOT concern him. There were aspects of Christ's will that were personal, intended only for the individual to whom they were divulged. Even Christ's words to Peter concerning his own death appear partial, as though we are only given a summation of the matter. In a very real sense, Jesus had told Peter His "secret" concerning the death appointed to him. He was not going to tell Peter the secret appointments of His other disciples. Peter was to concern himself with FOLLOWING Christ. That would prepare him for the death whereby he would glorify God.

There is a valuable lesson to be learned here. There comes a time when we must confine ourselves to following Jesus, ceasing to be concerned about God's dealings with our brethren. Some things regarding our brethren are really none of our business. We are a family, to be sure, but everything is not shared among us. There are intensely personal matters, known only to those to whom the Lord reveals them–insights where the Lord is dealing with us personally. In such matters, the preeminent thing is following Christ–going where He is leading us. Nothing must be allowed to supercede that, not even a quest to understand what is going to happen to the most notable among us.

Thus the text is fulfilled, "For every man shall bear his own burden" (Gal 6:5). There is a personal level of discipleship that does not allow for the intrusion of others–not even our brethren. Blessed is the person who knows this.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for taking a personal interest in me, and leading me in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. In Jesus' name, Help me to be eager to know what is lawful for me to know, and to cease being curious about things You do not intend for me to know now.

--Monday: CALLED INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT --