JOHN 21:15-23 “FOLLOW ME”
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”
He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 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 brothers 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?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
The call of a disciple is to follow Jesus. It is a call that does not change throughout the life of the disciple. According to John, it was the initial call of the Jesus to the fishermen and it was his final command to them after the resurrection (vv. 19, 22). After three years of living with Jesus and learning from him they were not to graduate as autonomous religious leaders, but rather they were to continue in obedient submission to Jesus as their Lord. As Jesus’ focus was on the will of the Father, a disciple’s life must have following Jesus as its center.
What are “these” (v.15) that Jesus is referring to? The practical and universal answer is that they are anything that replaces Jesus as our primary focus. Professions, friends, family, ministries, avocations, and self are all suspect categories. Obedient following of Jesus means that we play our lives to an audience of one: God. Even concern for the future of the fellow disciple to whom we might be most closely related is not to be an exception. If we are to follow Jesus we will present our concern to him and trust that he will provide the best through his perfect will for our brothers and sisters.
The phrase “follow me” is the summary of what it means to be Jesus’ disciple. It is the invitation Jesus issues to us. It is the means through which we come to know God in this life. It is how we fulfill the purpose for which we were created. And, it is the vehicle through which we are restored in our relationship with God. Follow Jesus and behold your King.
I love you Lord Jesus, and seek to grow in my love for you. Empower me through the Holy Spirit to walk where you lead me so that I can know you more clearly and love you more dearly every day. Amen.