John 21: The Blindness of Comparison

As Jesus spoke with Peter after his resurrection, he called his apostle friend back to leadership and ministry. Despite Peter’s denials on the night Christ’s arrest, Jesus had a plan for his future.

But Peter had something else in mind–his friend John. John 21:20-22 reads:

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.”

Notice what took place. The resurrected Jesus was speaking to Peter. Jesus called Peter to follow him. Peter asked about John.

Why? Comparison.

Comparison blinds us to what matters most. When the person next door or in the next office seems to have everything going right, we care less about God’s plan for our lives and tend to ask, “What about him?” or “What about her?” But that’s not the response Jesus seeks.

He desires our full attention. Our full commitment. Our full devotion.

When tempted to play the comparison game in your life today and in the days ahead, remember the words Jesus spoke to Peter when he diverted attention to Christ’s call: “What is that to you? You must follow me.”

Don’t stoop to the blindness of comparison.

Follow Jesus.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author or co-author of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of the New Testament in 2011 at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.