There is a fascinating exchange between Jesus and Peter in John 21. After Jesus publicly restored Peter in front of the other disciples, all of Jesus’ closest followers began living life after the resurrection and in light of the resurrection. As Jesus commissioned Peter, we see Peter begins asking questions about another disciple. Instead of answering Peter’s questions about John, the Scripture captures the last part of their interaction this way: Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22 ESV)
After our special three-part series for Holy Week, It Is Finished, I hope you are now pondering and meditating on this question: What now? Jesus was indeed crucified as He died for the sins of the world. The tomb was absolutely empty that first Easter Sunday. Jesus was clearly resurrected, the first to experience this victory in the history of the world.
I feel compelled to stop for a moment and remind you of this important truth: All others who were raised from the dead (i.e., the widows son in 1 Kings, all those raised from the dead by Jesus in the Gospels, especially Lazarus) were all resuscitated, not resurrected. All of those whom God raised from the dead were raised in the same body and would go on to die again. Jesus alone was raised in power, in a resurrected body, and He will never experience death again.
With all that in mind, what do we do now? We follow Jesus. After we meet the resurrected Christ, nothing is ever the same again. We experience new birth as we become a new creation in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). God’s power and grace begin to change us from the inside out, a work that will only be finished when we stand in the presence of Christ (see Philippians 1:6). We are entrusted with the Gospel and commanded to go into all the world making disciples (not converts) of all people. We are to teach them to obey all Christ has commanded and given the assurance of His presence in our lives. (See Matthew 28:17-20)
Based on the Scripture, I don’t think it is my primary responsibility to focus on what others are doing, but instead I am called to focus on what Christ has called me to do. This doesn’t mean I shouldn’t disciple others and teach them to obey all He has commanded, it simply means it is not my responsibility for how others respond or follow Jesus. The one thing in this life I can control is myself, what I do, and how I am faithfully following Jesus.
I challenge you over the next days and weeks to live, pray, serve, worship, and rejoice in light of the life changing truth of the resurrection of Jesus. Stop trying to determine God’s will for others, and get busy following Him. Instead of getting caught up with what others are or are not doing, humbly seek God’s grace to follow Jesus intentionally, consistently, and faithfully. Or maybe to paraphrase what Jesus told Peter: Stop worrying about John and fix your eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfector of your faith (see Hebrews 12:2).
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24 ESV)
