John 21:20-22 "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?” When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
In our modern world, distractions are everywhere. We are constantly bombarded by the demands of work, relationships, social media, and the various responsibilities that life brings our way. It becomes all too easy to get lost in a state of comparison and lose sight of our individual journey. The passage in John 21:20-22 is a reminder of the importance of maintaining our focus on Christ and our relationship with him.
In this scripture, we see Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, momentarily shift his focus. Jesus had just given Peter a glimpse of his future, a future marked by sacrifice and commitment. But rather than absorbing the gravity and honor of his calling, Peter's attention diverted to another disciple, John. "Lord, what about him?" Peter shows us a natural human tendency: the urge to compare.
Jesus’ response is both direct and cut deep, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." This statement strips away comparative concern and zeros in on the essence of discipleship—individual calling and obedience. Jesus redirects Peter's focus from John back to his own unique path.
Tunnel vision, in a spiritual sense, entails a dedicated focus on Christ, undeterred by the paths of others. When we look sideways, comparing our lives, our successes, or our trials with those of others, we lose sight of the specific call that God has placed on our own hearts. Comparison steals joy, breeds discontentment, and distracts us from our mission.
Jesus calls us to a personal relationship. His words to Peter are a call to every Believer: "You must follow me." Our task is not to question the path of others but to faithfully follow the path God has placed us on—eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. It is on this journey that we find true peace, purpose, and fulfillment.
In our modern world, distractions are everywhere. We are constantly bombarded by the demands of work, relationships, social media, and the various responsibilities that life brings our way. It becomes all too easy to get lost in a state of comparison and lose sight of our individual journey. The passage in John 21:20-22 is a reminder of the importance of maintaining our focus on Christ and our relationship with him.
In this scripture, we see Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, momentarily shift his focus. Jesus had just given Peter a glimpse of his future, a future marked by sacrifice and commitment. But rather than absorbing the gravity and honor of his calling, Peter's attention diverted to another disciple, John. "Lord, what about him?" Peter shows us a natural human tendency: the urge to compare.
Jesus’ response is both direct and cut deep, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." This statement strips away comparative concern and zeros in on the essence of discipleship—individual calling and obedience. Jesus redirects Peter's focus from John back to his own unique path.
Tunnel vision, in a spiritual sense, entails a dedicated focus on Christ, undeterred by the paths of others. When we look sideways, comparing our lives, our successes, or our trials with those of others, we lose sight of the specific call that God has placed on our own hearts. Comparison steals joy, breeds discontentment, and distracts us from our mission.
Jesus calls us to a personal relationship. His words to Peter are a call to every Believer: "You must follow me." Our task is not to question the path of others but to faithfully follow the path God has placed us on—eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. It is on this journey that we find true peace, purpose, and fulfillment.