The One who Controls our Life
The One who Controls our Life
John 21:18-23
Almost all of us would like a glimpse into the future to see what will happen. While we all know that death is inevitable, we ponder and even worry about the nature of our death. Will we live to an old age? Will we die suddenly in our sleep, or will it be a long, drawn-out process that involves prolonged suffering? Will we be afflicted with Alzheimer’s, or will we be mentally and physically healthy until death suddenly strikes?
Surprisingly Jesus gives Peter insight into how he will die. Jesus predicts that Peter will die a martyr's death at the hands of his enemies. While some suggest that the method will be crucifixion, others suggest that it is more general and hints at martyrdom. Church tradition implies that Peter died in 65 A.D. during the reign of Nero. Furthermore, it is believed that he was crucified upside down. However, we do not know how Peter died, only that he died as a martyr. While Jesus' statement may hint that it was by crucifixion, it is not necessitated by the prediction of Jesus. The best we can determine is that Peter would suffer and die for the cause of Christ.
In response to Jesus' prediction, Peter curiously points to John and asks how he would die. Jesus replies by gently rebuking Peter for his question. However, the question was more than one of curiosity. It was a question that implied that if he was to die a martyr's death, then so should the other disciples. Jesus makes it clear that Peter is not to be concerned about John. Instead, he is to recognize that God holds all our lives in his hands and that how he works in the lives of others is not always the same. Consequently, we should not be concerned about what God will do through others. Instead, we are to focus solely on the will of God for our own life.
Often we think that fairness means that God should treat us all equally and that we should not suffer more than others. Therefore, in our thinking, if God allows us to face adversity and struggles, it is only fair that it be no worse than others. Consequently, when we go through more trouble than others, we accuse God of being unjust.
In response, Jesus clarifies that God’s plan is unique for each of us. God does not treat us in a cookie-cutter fashion as one who sits upon his throne, only dealing with the mass of humanity as a whole. Instead, he is a personal God who acts, reacts, and orchestrates the events of our life individual. This individual treatment is not arbitrary or capricious. Instead, it is driven by his will for us. His desire for what is ultimately best for us (Romans 8:28). Instead of worrying about the circumstances others are facing or being jealous when they receive more “blessing” than us, we are rest in God’s sovereign plan and goodness for our individual life.
This also corrects our propensity to think everyone should be like ourselves in our personality, spiritual giftedness, and abilities. God has wired us uniquely and distinctively crafts the experience we have to accomplish his purpose. Instead of worrying about others and what God is doing in their life, we can focus on our lives and recognize that God is relating to you and me with his attention and guiding us to accomplish his specific purpose. While we may not understand all he does, we can rest in his plan and rejoice that his goal is always good. Today spend time thanking God for the work that he is doing in your life, and then ask him to reveal how you can best serve him, even if it involves suffering.
John 21:18-23
Almost all of us would like a glimpse into the future to see what will happen. While we all know that death is inevitable, we ponder and even worry about the nature of our death. Will we live to an old age? Will we die suddenly in our sleep, or will it be a long, drawn-out process that involves prolonged suffering? Will we be afflicted with Alzheimer’s, or will we be mentally and physically healthy until death suddenly strikes?
Surprisingly Jesus gives Peter insight into how he will die. Jesus predicts that Peter will die a martyr's death at the hands of his enemies. While some suggest that the method will be crucifixion, others suggest that it is more general and hints at martyrdom. Church tradition implies that Peter died in 65 A.D. during the reign of Nero. Furthermore, it is believed that he was crucified upside down. However, we do not know how Peter died, only that he died as a martyr. While Jesus' statement may hint that it was by crucifixion, it is not necessitated by the prediction of Jesus. The best we can determine is that Peter would suffer and die for the cause of Christ.
In response to Jesus' prediction, Peter curiously points to John and asks how he would die. Jesus replies by gently rebuking Peter for his question. However, the question was more than one of curiosity. It was a question that implied that if he was to die a martyr's death, then so should the other disciples. Jesus makes it clear that Peter is not to be concerned about John. Instead, he is to recognize that God holds all our lives in his hands and that how he works in the lives of others is not always the same. Consequently, we should not be concerned about what God will do through others. Instead, we are to focus solely on the will of God for our own life.
Often we think that fairness means that God should treat us all equally and that we should not suffer more than others. Therefore, in our thinking, if God allows us to face adversity and struggles, it is only fair that it be no worse than others. Consequently, when we go through more trouble than others, we accuse God of being unjust.
In response, Jesus clarifies that God’s plan is unique for each of us. God does not treat us in a cookie-cutter fashion as one who sits upon his throne, only dealing with the mass of humanity as a whole. Instead, he is a personal God who acts, reacts, and orchestrates the events of our life individual. This individual treatment is not arbitrary or capricious. Instead, it is driven by his will for us. His desire for what is ultimately best for us (Romans 8:28). Instead of worrying about the circumstances others are facing or being jealous when they receive more “blessing” than us, we are rest in God’s sovereign plan and goodness for our individual life.
This also corrects our propensity to think everyone should be like ourselves in our personality, spiritual giftedness, and abilities. God has wired us uniquely and distinctively crafts the experience we have to accomplish his purpose. Instead of worrying about others and what God is doing in their life, we can focus on our lives and recognize that God is relating to you and me with his attention and guiding us to accomplish his specific purpose. While we may not understand all he does, we can rest in his plan and rejoice that his goal is always good. Today spend time thanking God for the work that he is doing in your life, and then ask him to reveal how you can best serve him, even if it involves suffering.
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