May 23
Bible Reading: John 21:20-23
John 21:21, “When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’”
The pending death of a loved one sometimes raises questions about life’s inequities in the minds of a patient and their family. Others have their health and are free to pursue their goals and dreams. Why not me? Some grow old having not faced any kind of debilitating illness, others are not so fortunate. Such thinking can then lead to resentment, which then works to steal away a person’s joy and gratitude and desire to make the best use of their remaining days.
When Jesus informed Peter that he was going to die a martyr for his faith, he then asked what would happen with his fellow disciple, John. We can’t be certain regarding his motivation for asking, but Jesus’ answer to the question holds for us some important lessons.
Jesus was well aware of what was going to pass in the lives of both men. Their futures were in his hands. He, the “Shepherd and Overseer Guardian of (their) souls” (1 Peter 2:25), would walk with them each step of the way in their journeys, until it was time for Him to bring them safely home to His heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18). He holds the same knowledge and has the same plans for you.
Though their futures would vary, His love for each did not. He loved them both with a love immeasurable and everlasting. He used them both—in amazing and God-honoring fashion! Both fulfilled the ministry that God had pre-ordained for them to do (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 4:7).
It’s best then to keep our focus on Jesus and not on the bloom or blight of others as we determine to do our best in serving Him. As John A. Broadus has said: “It is not for a laborer in the vineyard to choose himself where he will work, but only to work where he is placed. We know not what awaits us, but if in simplicity and godly sincerity, in such calling and circumstances as providence assigns us, we do make it our aim to glorify God, then whatever crashes and falls around us, life will not be failure, but will show our love and glorify our Saviour!” – John A. Broadus
We can’t change the past or see the future, but we can do our best to serve Jesus in our present.
I KNOW NOT WHAT THE FUTURE HATH
I know not what the future hath
Of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death
God’s mercy underlies.
And if my heart and flesh are weak
To bear an untried pain,
The bruised reed He will not break
But strengthen and sustain.
And Thou, O Lord, by whom are seen
Thy creatures as they be,
Forgive me if too close I learn
My human heart on Thee.
And so beside the silent sea
I wait the muffled oar:
No harm from Him can come to me
On ocean or on shore.
I know not where His island lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.
LookingtoJesus 