Thoughts on the Gospel of John (220) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

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? Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, But Lord, what about this man? Jesus said to him, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.
John 21:20–22

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (220)
“Follow Me” – with these words Jesus invites Peter to follow Him. This invitation is still valid after His ascension. We can see from his first letter how he took this word to heart and how important it was to him to encourage others to follow the Lord. There he reminds us of the “footsteps” of Jesus that believers should follow. This means to behave as He behaved – even if we have to suffer unjustly (cf. 1 Peter 2:20–23).

Jesus is obviously talking to His disciple Peter while he is walking. Peter has learned how his life will end: through martyrdom on the cross. Now he is interested in the future of his fellow disciple John, with whom he has already experienced many things and who he has come to appreciate. The tense situation before the institution of the Lord’s Supper alone shows that the older Peter has a good relationship with the younger John. Because John is especially close to Jesus, he has found out who would betray Him (John 13:21–26).

This shows that Peter is not envious if he is interested in John’s future. But the Lord does not tell him what He intends to do with John; He gives a mysterious answer, indicating that He leads each of His disciples differently. The important thing for every disciple is to look to himself first and to remain a follower of Jesus.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Malachi 1:1-14 · Mark 15:29-39