In the last recorded conversation in the gospel of John, Jesus warned Peter about what was in store for him in the future. Jesus said, “‘Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.’ Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’” (John 21:18-19).
If we were in Peter’s position, it might have been a little shocking or scary to hear this from Jesus. We are not told exactly what Peter’s emotional state was at this time; however, we are told of his verbal response to Jesus. When he saw his fellow apostle John, he asked Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” (John 21:21).
When facing particularly trying situations, it is often tempting to look at others who do not seem to be facing the same degree of difficulty that we are and then complain that our situation is not fair. Perhaps this was Peter’s intent when he asked about John. Regardless of his motive, Jesus explained that he was not to be concerned about anyone else: “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:22).
It is almost humorous to read John’s comment in the next verse. Evidently there were some disciples who heard of this later and concluded that Jesus meant that John “would not die,” so John wrote a brief statement to dispel that idea (John 21:23).
As we consider the Lord’s statement to Peter, it is important that we see how it applies to our own lives. When we face difficulties, we should not look to others who seem to have an easier life than we do and question the Lord’s will about that (as if He were unfair). When we suffer in this life, we ought not complain that others do not have it as bad as we do. When we are tempted to sin, we must not think that we somehow have more of an excuse to sin than those around us. Instead of comparing our lives to the lives of others in this way (at least the parts of their lives that we see), we need to heed the admonition that Jesus gave to Peter. Regardless of what their lives are like – even if we could truly say that they have it easier than we do – we simply need to follow Jesus.
The problem with comparing our lives to others as a way of complaining about our difficulties is that our focus is on the wrong thing. The Hebrew writer said, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Rather than looking to John, Peter needed to look to Jesus. When we are looking to others who seem have things easier than we do and are tempted to think that it is not “fair,” we need to look to Jesus. The Hebrew writer continued, “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). Yes, we are going to face difficulties that could cause us to become “weary and lose heart,” but Jesus endured so much more for us.
Jesus has called everyone who would be His disciple to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow [Him]” (Luke 9:23). He has not hidden the fact that we will face challenges and will have to endure suffering in this life. Yet He was willing to endure this as well and has promises us that if we will do the same we can have the hope of eternal life.
So no matter how difficult our lives may seem or how unfair our situation may appear to be, let us remember Jesus’ words to Peter: “What is that to you? You follow Me!”
