City Life Starter

Written by Paul Lane

The Word

²⁰ 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?”) ²¹ When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” ²³ Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

²⁵ Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Exegesis: Three thoughts

As I’ve spent time thinking about this passage, I kept coming back to three thoughts and a thought.  The three thoughts are pieces of my Christian learning.  The first has become a stable thought in which I see everything.  The second is something I heard a million times from my old pastor and dear friend, Mark McClimens.  The third is a deep impression I have always had about this section of John’s gospel and now I am finally putting it into words.

1. According to Genesis 2:7, Man is made of that which is earthly and that which is heavenly.  An observation: It seems to me that most Christians read the first three chapters of the Bible and conclude that the only chapter that is still in operation is Chapter 3; the Fall of Man.  Yes, we believe that man is fallen, and that sin continues to be the great problem that man needs to overcome.  But I wonder if Christians realize that Chapters 1 and 2 are still functional parts of life today.  God is still the architect of all things and God’s purpose for man has not been abolished.  In this passage, Peter shows himself to be both redeemable by walking with Jesus even though he failed Him, and fallible by comparing himself to John.  Jesus says, “You follow Me!”
2. My old pastor, Mark, would often teach about John’s last days.  He would tell us that groups would bring John in for a teaching, and the crowd would expect a great sermon.  But John’s teaching would be incredibly simple.  He would just repeatedly say, “just love one another, just love one another.”  If we can do this, we will obey Jesus’ instruction to Peter, “You follow Me!” 
3. This section is a coda to John’s gospel.  It is not a summary, but rather an end cap, or a parting shot.  This gospel has been quite a ride, but now is not the time to sleep on it.  There is something going on here, so do not miss it.  John wants to leave you with something.  And if you pay attention, I think you’ll hear Jesus saying, “You follow Me!”

Application: A Thought

John (and I do believe that it is John) is writing this after Peter has been killed, crucified upside down on a cross.  Important to understand that Peter and John had a remarkably close relationship.  I do not think they had much of a choice but to be close.  Being in close quarters for days on end, seeing the long string of world changing events together, turning the world upside down, are the types of things that bring people closer together.  The behavior between the two of them is quite like the behavior I see daily between my children.

I think as you read this section of John (this could be true for any part of John, but perhaps this section more so) you should picture yourself at a dinner party with close friends, stories and laughter flowing.  And amid it all there comes a moment when the host, John, quiets the crowd by saying, “I’ve got one.”  A somewhat serious expression paired with a soft smile comes to his face.  With eyes of glinting tears, having seen the loss of many loved ones, he stills himself and says, “did I ever tell you about Peter’s last walk with Jesus?”

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for John’s gospel and the life of Peter.  The examples of living close to your face have helped me in so many ways.  I ask that you teach me to be content to come and listen, to follow, and the lead others to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Worship