What is that to you?

What is that to you? Wow!

21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (Jn 21:21-23)

Many times in ministry we get caught up with worrying about other people or how the Lord is using them. Yet we are reminded that we need not concern ourselves about others.

Peter has an encounter with Jesus as Jesus restores him to ministry.

We must remember that this is same Peter who in Matthew 16 professes Jesus is the son of the living God.

But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Mt 16:15–19).

This text unfolds after Peters restoration to ministry. The visit his disciples after his resurrection by the seaside. Here we get replay of how Jesus first encountered 4 of his disciples after a fishing trip.

Luke 5:6 Jesus instructs Simon Peter to cast his net on into the deep for a catch. After Simon initial resistance he let his net down and to his surprise he went from catching nothing to catching so many fish that the nets began to break. After this great catch Jesus said that he will make them fishers of men. It is at that point that they left everything and followed him.

Here some three plus years later Jesus need to restore Peter back to ministry. Peter had failed miserably. He denied Jesus 3 times after saying he would lay down his life for him. The fear of what would happen to him grasped Peter’s senses. He denied the Lord 3 times before the cock crowed.

He had literally hung up is ministry hat and returned to the vocation he had left. Before we criticize Peter and the other disciples we must reckon with our own selves. What have we done when we are challenged? How do we react when things don’t go as planned? We to can have to propensity to revert to the familiar.

So many have left ministry because of the littlest things. They fell out with someone. They got frustrated with process. They focus on people instead of purpose.

Peter is challenge by Jesus with the question do you love me more than these? Peter said yes and Jesus instructs Peter to feed my lambs. The challenge for Peter is do you love me more than the fish? Do you love me more the brethren ? Do you me more than anything else? It was Peter that said in Matthew 26:33 33  “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away. (Mt 26:33). His words would prove unreliable. As Jesus told, Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (Mt 26:34). Peter insisted with his rebuttal. Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” (Mt 26:35).

Can I now trust you with the plan I have for you?

Peter’s affirmation says Yes I love you. Feed my Lambs.

Jesus ask Him again and Peter says Yes I love you. Jesus said tend my lambs. This is to inform Peter and those in ministry we have a responsibility to tend to or care for the ones he has place in our ministry. Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Ac 20:28).

Its in 1 Peter 5:2-4 that we learn 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Pe 5:2–4).

Peter had to go through the process to promise. Remember Jesus told Peter upon this Rock I will build my church. The very name Peter means ROCK.

Jesus knew he wanted to use Peter for his glory. In order to do that we have to go through the process. He would have to follow Jesus and do as Jesus does.

The first feed bosko he refers to lambs

The second feed he instructs Peter to tend poimaino (shepherd) my sheep.

The third feed he uses a word bosko which includes feeding, tending and heeding my sheep

So Peter must recognized that he has been called to ministry and his affirmation for love for Christ comes with the responsibility of caring for ministering the people of God.

Though Peter had been restored he still was focus on the wrong thing. He was worried about John. Jesus had to remind Peter to not worry about John. Worry about yourself.

If we are to truly be used by God

We must first confirm our love to him.

Our love for God confirms our role in ministry. We are called to serve in love. Its no secret God loves us but do we love him. Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. Peter gets frustrated with the persistent question of Peter do you love me. Yet Jesus needs to know you love him more than the world.

Its the only way he truly gets the glory out of our lives. Love is seen in obedience. You remember Abraham how God tested him to see if he would sacrifice his son Isaac? Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac. God then knew that Abraham could be depended on.

What are you holding on to or unwilling to sacrifice? It may be saying to God I really don’t love you as much as I profess.

Everyday we are challenge with the same questions Do you love me? If you love me do what you been called to do. In Peters case he would be head of the early church. Jesus needed to know that Peter was ready to lead the early church. In two weeks we will celebrate the day of Pentecost. It was on that day Peter would preach in first sermon and 3000 souls would be saved.

Peter would be trusted to meet the man at the gate of Beautiful and say to the lame man Silver and Gold I have none such as I do have i offer to you. Rise up and walk. The man who was impotent 40 years old would rise up and praise God as he skipped into the temple.

Do you love God enough that he can trust you with your purpose? I believe eyes have not seen nor ears heard what God has in stored for you!

The real reason we should let God know we love Him is that He first loved us. As the Bible states, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Not only did God give us His only son, Jesus, to love us and die as a sacrifice for our sins, but He loves us because He created us and loves us despite our flaws.

From the time He breathed life into Adam’s body, to the time He is with each person as they make their journey to heaven, His love is unconditional and never fades.

Secondly we have to stay with God til the end

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” . (Jn 21:18–19).

David I was young and now I’m old I never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37:25

Jesus reminds Peter us that life has seasons. Enjoy each season and keep the faith in the process. Trust God in every season of your life. He will provide what you need.

We go from faith to faith! Roman 1:16-17) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17 )

When you signed up for this its a life journey.

Finally We must be focused on the assignment

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”. (Jn 21:20–23). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Jesus rebukes Peter for what? Asking about John. What about him. What about him. We need less concerned about what God is doing with others and more concerned with what God is doing with you. You have not scratched the surface of what God is about to do in your life. How he will grow your ministry how many people he will put in your path. The harvest is plenty but the labors are few. Jesus told his disciples to pray for the laborers.

Ministry is challenging enough than for me to be worrying how God is is using another pastor or saint. I am a firm believer in what God has for me is for me.

Peter could have been jealous of John and Jesus relationship. Even though Peter himself was part of the inner circle it was evident that there was some competitiveness. On the day Jesus was raised from the dead John and Peter had a foot race to the tomb. John would rest his head on Jesus shoulder at the last supper. Jesus had to make sure Peter knew what ever happens to John was not Peter’s concern.

According to Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” This means that God won’t change His mind about what He has called you to do. If God has called you, that calling is still there, whether or not you have obeyed.

And if God gave you a gift, that gift is still there. Gifts are given by God even before you were born, and you need no repentance to have them or receive them because they were given since the beginning.

Just stay focus. being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:19

The verse reassures us that "he who began a good work is faithful to complete what he started in you". The phrase can be interpreted to mean that God will complete the good work he has started in you, regardless of how you may feel or what your circumstances may be. Faithfulness requires a willingness to complete the job even when circumstances are not comfortable.