We are not in control

While reading in John Chapter 21 in the New Testament, it struck me differently than I’ve ever noticed before. Jesus had already been crucified and had been raised back to life and was appearing to his disciples in various locations and scenarios to give them special prayers and messages before he ascended to Heaven. Jesus was currently talking to Peter and in John 21:18-23 says, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and walked wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and arms, and someone else will dress you, and carry you where you do not wish to go.” Now He said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God”. (Makes you think about death a little differently, right? I didn’t think about the fact that in our death, we could glorify God!) And after saying this, He said to him, “Follow Me”. Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; (this man was his disciple John). The one who also had leaned back on His chest at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” So when Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man, what is his future?” Jesus said to him, “If I want him to stay alive until I come again, what is that to you? YOU FOLLOW ME.” So this word went out among the brothers that this disciple (John) was not going to die; but only, “If I want him to stay alive until I come again, what is that to you?”

I can just imagine this scenario. Peter is trying to figure it all out, who is dying, when, how etc. I can just hear it now, Jesus probably said, “Bro, it’s none of your business how John dies or anyone else. If I want, maybe I’ll let him come straight to Heaven with me without dying at all! It’s none of your concern! You just walk your path, stay in your lane and follow me!” (paraphrased by me) Jesus reminded him that it wasn’t up to Peter or anyone else. That even our death and the circumstances surrounding it, are up to God. It’s His business, how and when we die. It’s our responsibility to place our trust in Him and to glorify Him, even in our death. And ultimately He is wanting us to follow Him, to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Him in the midst of any other difficult circumstance, including death!