Day 153

2 Samuel 19:11–20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17

AS WE EMBRACE this new month of reading the Bible, we’ve come to the end of the portion of Scripture known as the Gospels. Since the beginning of the year, our New Testament journey has taken us through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John —the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth. Today, we completed the Gospel of John with Jesus cooking breakfast for His friends on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

The scene is deeply human and even playful, as the recently resurrected Jesus invited His friends (who had returned to fishing) to cast their nets on the other side of the boat —revisiting the beginning of their journey together. When Simon Peter heard those words and saw the fish they’d caught, he leaped into the water and swam to Jesus. “It’s the Lord!” John exclaimed as he watched (John 21:7).

After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Each time, Peter affirmed his love, and each time, Jesus instructed him to take care of the flock of people who had believed in Jesus. Many scholars believe this was intentional on Jesus’ part, for Peter had denied Him three times. As beautiful as this is, what happened next is even more riveting and should touch all of our lives:

Jesus gave Peter advance words about the way his life would end, and as Peter processed this information, he looked at John and asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” (John 21:21). These words mimic so many of our own stories. If we pay attention, we’ll often catch ourselves comparing our lives in unhealthy ways to that of someone else.

The response to Peter’s question was typical of the way Jesus cut to the heart of any matter: “What is that to you?” (John 21:22).

When we find ourselves playing the comparison game, let’s ask ourselves, What is that to you? This question forces us to acknowledge that we are dealing with envy and jealousy —poisons to our souls.

Then Jesus spoke the final words found in the Gospels, and if we remember them when we feel as if we’ve lost our purpose, we will find an immediate reorientation to who we are and why we are here: “Follow me” (John 21:22).

MEDITATION:

The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.