No Comparison!

"When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, 'Lord, what about him?'"
(John 21:21)

Talk about an emotional time for Peter. Here he is, fishing again (possibly for the first time since he left fishing behind to follow Jesus). The weight of his denial of Jesus, prior to Jesus' crucifixion, had to weigh heavy. In the wee hours of the morning, after an unsuccessful night of fishing, Jesus appears on the shore. Peter doesn't even wait for the boat to row back to shore; he jumps in and swims to Jesus. Then while eating breakfast with them, Jesus asks Peter three times whether or not he loves him (1 for each denial of Peters?). When Peter affirms his love, Jesus calls him afresh to discipleship: "Follow me!" But just before this call to follow, Jesus cryptically mentions something about Peter's future and impending death. At which Peter turns and asks Jesus about his friend sitting next to him ("the disciple Jesus loved"). Jesus tells him basically to just worry about himself, not his friend.

It's a human trait, isn't it, to compare ourselves to others?!? Peter had just experienced an amazing exchange with Jesus - no other disciple had been singled out by Jesus that morning... and peter STILL felt the need to compare himself to others. Lovingly, Jesus tells us all to mind our own business. It's not about everyone getting the same treatment or everything being "fair" or "just". We're simply called by Jesus to "Follow me!" He will give us the grace we ned to endure, should we respond.

PRAYER: Lord, I don't want to get into the habit of comparing myself to others - especially other pastors and churches. I know You've called me to follow. That's enough. Keep me faithful in that task. AMEN.