WE WILL
Prayer
Praying On The Journey With Christ
A Commitment To Encounter Christ Through The Gospel Of John
Object:
John 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
COMMENTARY
Now that Jesus had Peter's commitment, that commitment would cost Peter his life. He couldn't help but look back, wistfully perhaps, and see John following them. Peter just had to know, "What about him? Does he have to die too?"
Rumors spread quickly about the implications of Jesus' words about John, so John sets the record straight about what Jesus said regarding his own death. John understood Jesus to be saying that all of the future is his business alone. Like the God who said, "I am who I am," Jesus was saying, "I will do what I will do and be what I will be." We don't have to know as much of the future as we think we do. We just have to obey the last command: "Follow me."
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Peter knew how much you loved John, and when he saw him following the two of you, right after you told Peter that he would suffer greatly for you, and die on your behalf, it was a natural question to ask. He wanted to know, "Lord, will there be others who have to give this much? Am I the only one who has to die? Did my betrayal bring this about? Will John, whom you love so dearly, also have to die a cruel death?"
Your answer, Lord, once again took all such speculative matters out of Peter's hands. You would not tell him your plans for John, for Matthew, for James, or for that matter, for us. You simply told Peter what he was to do: "Follow me."
Lord, misery loves company. Persons whose lives are touched by tragedy need real support from others, not just sympathy. Peter wanted to know that his sacrifice was essential, that others would love you as he did, and that others would have to face the pain of the cross, along with him. You gave him no guarantees. You only told him to do what you've told us to do: "Follow me." He could not see what we now know, that all but one of your disciples died a martyr's death, including your beloved John. Your way is so costly. You give us so many opportunities to die too. They may not be as dramatic as crucifixion, but they are painful deaths for us nonetheless, because we are dying to self for the sake of another. You ask us to do it for you.
So, Lord, we will do just that. We have had time to read and learn that millions have followed you through the ages, and found that dying for you for the sake of another was peace indeed. We will have to die to be your child. We understand it, and we will do it, with your help, because to live any other way is to live without peace, to live without you. We do not choose to do this, Lord, but you have commanded us to follow your will.
We will.
Lord, this promise to you is not easily spoken, for behind the words is much uncertainty about our strength and ability to keep our vow. We will need your constant help and presence, as you've promised. But what a journey it will be in community together, your band of disciples for this time. What a different road we will have to travel together. What an adventure it is has already been.
John concludes his book about you, Lord, with thoughts about how many other books would have to be written to tell what you have done on our behalf. Comfort us with the knowledge that we are a part of that written record, with many surprise chapters, unknown to us at this time, but a delight to learn in the world yet to come. Comfort us with the knowledge that we know enough for now. Later, Lord, we will learn it all and tremble at your love.
To you, Lord Jesus, be all mystery and might, as you form our lives on your own potter's wheel. Push us and pull us, spin us, and remold us as necessary, for without your touch, we are but sorry clumps of clay. To your glory, and for your sake, these words are prayed. To your purpose, may our lives be lived. For our sake and the sake of the world, for which you died, give us strength for the battle, until the day of resurrection. Amen.
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
COMMENTARY
Now that Jesus had Peter's commitment, that commitment would cost Peter his life. He couldn't help but look back, wistfully perhaps, and see John following them. Peter just had to know, "What about him? Does he have to die too?"
Rumors spread quickly about the implications of Jesus' words about John, so John sets the record straight about what Jesus said regarding his own death. John understood Jesus to be saying that all of the future is his business alone. Like the God who said, "I am who I am," Jesus was saying, "I will do what I will do and be what I will be." We don't have to know as much of the future as we think we do. We just have to obey the last command: "Follow me."
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Peter knew how much you loved John, and when he saw him following the two of you, right after you told Peter that he would suffer greatly for you, and die on your behalf, it was a natural question to ask. He wanted to know, "Lord, will there be others who have to give this much? Am I the only one who has to die? Did my betrayal bring this about? Will John, whom you love so dearly, also have to die a cruel death?"
Your answer, Lord, once again took all such speculative matters out of Peter's hands. You would not tell him your plans for John, for Matthew, for James, or for that matter, for us. You simply told Peter what he was to do: "Follow me."
Lord, misery loves company. Persons whose lives are touched by tragedy need real support from others, not just sympathy. Peter wanted to know that his sacrifice was essential, that others would love you as he did, and that others would have to face the pain of the cross, along with him. You gave him no guarantees. You only told him to do what you've told us to do: "Follow me." He could not see what we now know, that all but one of your disciples died a martyr's death, including your beloved John. Your way is so costly. You give us so many opportunities to die too. They may not be as dramatic as crucifixion, but they are painful deaths for us nonetheless, because we are dying to self for the sake of another. You ask us to do it for you.
So, Lord, we will do just that. We have had time to read and learn that millions have followed you through the ages, and found that dying for you for the sake of another was peace indeed. We will have to die to be your child. We understand it, and we will do it, with your help, because to live any other way is to live without peace, to live without you. We do not choose to do this, Lord, but you have commanded us to follow your will.
We will.
Lord, this promise to you is not easily spoken, for behind the words is much uncertainty about our strength and ability to keep our vow. We will need your constant help and presence, as you've promised. But what a journey it will be in community together, your band of disciples for this time. What a different road we will have to travel together. What an adventure it is has already been.
John concludes his book about you, Lord, with thoughts about how many other books would have to be written to tell what you have done on our behalf. Comfort us with the knowledge that we are a part of that written record, with many surprise chapters, unknown to us at this time, but a delight to learn in the world yet to come. Comfort us with the knowledge that we know enough for now. Later, Lord, we will learn it all and tremble at your love.
To you, Lord Jesus, be all mystery and might, as you form our lives on your own potter's wheel. Push us and pull us, spin us, and remold us as necessary, for without your touch, we are but sorry clumps of clay. To your glory, and for your sake, these words are prayed. To your purpose, may our lives be lived. For our sake and the sake of the world, for which you died, give us strength for the battle, until the day of resurrection. Amen.
