Warriors Arise: October 21, 2020
John 21:20-22 (NKJV) 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?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
Jesus gives a firm swift answer then brings their conversation back to Peter. He and Peter were not out on a walk, shooting the breeze. There is a purpose to this walk. It is not to teach Peter about what happens to those who betray Jesus. It is not to discuss someone else's calling. It is to get Peter to embrace his calling.
God choose Peter three and a half years earlier. God had a purpose for Peter and it isn't for him to be subdued by the enemy the first time he failed. Jesus told Peter he was going to sin and what to do afterward "and when you return strengthen your brethren." Jesus even told Peter how he would sin, "You will deny Me three times before the rooster crows twice." Why did Peter have to be told, "and when you return strengthen your brethren"?
Do you find it hard to return to God, your church family, your calling after you have sinned?
Peter was identified as a leader among the disciples. They looked to him for answers if Jesus wasn't there to tell them. Even though Scripture tells us Peter was with the disciples when he was told the angel's message in Mark 16:7 "But go, tell his disciples, and Peter, that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you" he didn't rush to meet Jesus where the angel said. Peter rushed to the tomb, where Jesus had been. Peter and the rest of disciples had been told a number of times by Jesus before He died on the cross that when He rose again He would meet them on a specific mountain in Galilee. I have shared these references in earlier Warrior Arise blogs. My point, Jesus is looking for Peter to follow as willingly as he had done the first time Jesus called him to be a disciple when he was fishing with his father, but something had changed.
Something was different this time. The reality of what he was being asked to do and his own humanity. Being with Jesus, they all felt powerful, but when alone they didn't fare so well. Peter had experienced a pain he had never known. He had probably never been unable to back up his promise. The realization that he was not like Jesus. Peter needed a Savior; while Jesus was and is the Savior. This truth never rings so clear as when we sin. In our sin, we need Jesus. We not only need Jesus but the reality hits us, we need what Jesus did for us. We need His death on the cross to pay for our sin. The wages of sin is death that can only be paid by a sacrifice without blemish. Jesus, bruised, beaten with rods, mocked and crowned with thorns beaten into His skull, whipped with the cat of nine tails, stripped naked before all, and facing the turmoil of the world from within the depths of all that He is, embraced all of that so we could be cleansed of our sin, made right to stand before God.
But Jesus is relentless. He will not let Peter get sidetracked. When Peter asked about the other man's future, "What about him?" Jesus shuts Peter down. I can hear myself giving a statement like this to one of my kids when a conversation has gotten too deep. They have heard me but are not willing to commit to what we have talked about. They will ask about when I will talk to one of the other kids. They will point out what I need to address with others. They will ask when I will have a talk with them. And I will pop off an answer that doesn't apply to anything. I will be talking to the other kid and I might even end with, "What is that to you?" Nice try, but that rabbit trail is over, now back to you. I will not be deterred. We must have this conversation and they have to make a decision.
John 21:22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
My decision to follow Jesus is not to be determined on the plans He has for me nor the plans He has for someone else. You and I are created to fulfill a specific purpose. Can someone else do what we are called to do? Absolutely, but then who will do what they are called to do?
Father, I trust You. It is difficult to really face my sin, picture Jesus hanging on the cross because of it. Jesus wanted me to be in relationship with You. It is the only way I will know what You have called me to do. It is the only way I can see You at work and join You. I want courage to return to my calling, no hinderances of sin, no guilt or shame holding me back, and I do not want to be concerned with comparing what You have called me to do verses another. You are perfect in all Your ways. Your decisions are the best for my life. I ask for You to come and give Your people eyes to see You. I pray we would not be distracted with others but we would focus on what You are saying and what You want us to do. I pray we would not compare ourselves with others. I bless the call of God in the lives of others and I will fulfill the call of God in my life. I ask for You to give me courage to say "yes" to You. I bless others to know Your ways, make decisions according to Your leading, and walk in You love toward all people. You paid a dear price for my freedom from sin and the calling You placed in my life. I will learn Your voice, walk with You and follow where You lead in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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