What About Me?

“If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

“Yet while all this was clear to His prescient eye, Jesus did not condescend to give any explanations concerning the appointed lot of the beloved disciple, but allowed Peter to think what he pleased about the future of his friend. ‘If I will,’ He said, ‘that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?’ not meaning to give any information, as contemporary believers imagined, but rather refusing to give any in the bluntest and most peremptory manner. ‘Suppose’- such is the import of the words- ‘Suppose it were my pleasure that John should remain on the earth till I return to it, what is that to thee?’ Suppose I were to grant him to sit on my right hand in my Messianic kingdom, what, I ask again, is that to thee? Suppose John were not to taste of death, but, surviving till my second advent, were, like another Elijah, to be wafted directly into heaven, or to be endowed in his body with the power of an endless life, still what is that to thee? Follow thou me.’” The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 527.

This trait of man is inherent to all of us. We are at one time or another concerned about everyone else except our own selves. We concern ourselves about what else will happen with someone else, as if they had a better chance to be more successful. It comes from our old nature and Jesus knew it well enough to rebuke Peter once again. Jesus knows our old nature; he identified and was tempted by it while He was here on earth and later died for it. Even Satan himself tried it on Jesus in the wilderness. He appealed to his ego by desire for things and power. Aren’t you glad He won that battle?

In the story, Jesus called Peter to follow him after having breakfast. Peter already heard soul searching words earlier when Jesus said, ““Do you love Me?” “Tend My sheep.” Peter probably was thinking he would be the next man in charge and was being groomed for the task ahead so it required some alone time with Jesus. Just a meeting for the upper echelon! But it wasn’t so. After following Jesus away from the breakfast area, Peter turned and saw John following close behind, so Peter asked Jesus the question, “Lord, and what about this man?” as if he had to check if John was allowed to attend. Jesus responded again which caused Peter grief for speaking once again before thinking, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

You see, we live in a society which is always concerned about what we can get. We live in a hustle and bustle society that determines our net worth. It comes in many forms; power, prestige, play-toys, and plain cold cash. If we don’t have the best or our thoughts are about the best, somehow we aren’t of any value. The problem is each of us is all the same. We all came into this world the same way and will exit it the same way. But somehow along the way someone has told us we have to have everything to be happy and this comes through our fallen nature. Satan in the Garden of Eden appealed to Adam and Eve through their desire to have everything, including the knowledge of everything; to be like God. Today we want all the things we can get, mostly material in nature as if they won’t perish over time. They are temporaries subject to time and aging. Peter didn’t have all the big temptations we have today, but he desired one thing, to be important; but he already was in Jesus eyes, just like John.

We are all valued in our lives by Jesus. Let’s face it; He died for us, each of us! So the next time you think you have to have the next thing to make you feel important or valued, remember that your Savior sees you as His prize! So what should we do in the meantime? Jesus sums this question with a resounding answer of “Follow Me.”

What Does a Duty Bound Christian Look Like?

“…follow me!” John 21:22b

“To be a dutiful under-shepherd is another view, to be a faithful sheep, following the Chief Shepherd whithersoever He goes. Pastors are not lords over God heritage, but mere servants of Christ, the great Head of the Church, bound to regard His will as their law, and His life as their model. In the scene by the lake Jesus took pains to make His disciples understand this. He did not allow them to suppose that in committing to their pastoral charge His flock, He was abdicating His position as Shepherd and Bishop of souls. Having said to Peter, ‘Feed my lambs,’ ‘Feed my sheep,’ He said to him, as His final word, ‘Follow me.’” The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 524.

Twice in verse 19 and 22, Jesus uses the simple phrase, “Follow me!” I don’t know about you, but when I see the Master mention the same phrase twice in a few words, there must be something to it. As Bruce mentions, Jesus was not going to abdicate the entirety of the gospel to the disciples. He was the only way for men to be saved, and leaving that to the disciples was quite impossible. Surely they knew this though. He was simply leaving the model of the gospel to each of them and charging them with the care of it. The model was basing all they did and said upon the life He taught them to live. This means for today, we as Disciples of Christ are supposed to follow the life He left us as an example; and then follow it as closely as we can each day.

This however is not true in the real world today. How do I know? The last figure I heard this last week is that 53,000 Christians are leaving the church each month; each month? Today the world is filled with halfhearted and misdirected Christians who have somehow changed their minds the concept of what they believe the gospel means. Since the day of their salvation, many have wandered from the faith; the model set for each in-Christ. Then, others have decided to cherry pick and choose what they will live by or cast aside what they deem no longer valid of Scripture. When it comes to passages which address our actions and how to behave, many choose to say, “That was in a different era, it doesn’t apply today!” You see, their life is driven by culture around them. Whatever culture tells them is important, is what they follow. There is no permanent standard of truth in their life. Our Bible is our standard of truth! It is not outdated! It is not a dead document! It is the living, breathing Word of God! The problem is some are driven by the winds of time. The Word of God is our rock which we can stand upon. Consider the words of Paul as he tells us about the stability the Word of God and what it brings into our lives; “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Eph. 4:14).

On Sunday nights, there is one phrase I remember vividly from Dr. Elmer Towns REL 102 class we are taking as a church body. He says this; “Methods are many, Principals are few; methods change but Principles never do.” You see, the principles are the Word of God. Those things do not and will not change. Methods are many, refers to the ways the gospel can be shared in integrated into our lives. But when the two clash against each other, which one do you trust? We must always side with the principles of the Word of God!

We are not the masters of our life. Those who know Jesus Christ as their Savior know better. He is our Master and Savior. We are only to model our lives after His. His is the solid principle for our lives and it is up to us to live our lives in a way that honors His life! Jesus said “Follow me.” Will you choose this day to follow Him?

The Wandering Sheep Syndrome

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. John 21:15–17.

“We have said that the love to Christ does not impose on all His disciples the duty of the shepherd; showing itself rather in by far the larger number in simply hearing the shepherd’s voice and following him, and generally in wiliness to be guided by those who are wiser than themselves. We must add that all who are animated by the spirit of love to the Redeemer will be either shepherds or sheep, actively useful in caring for the souls of others, or thankfully using the provision made for the care of their own souls. Too many, however, come under neither designation. Some are sheep indeed, but sheep going astray; others are neither sheep nor shepherds, being self-reliant, yet indisposed to be helpful; too self-willed to be led, yet disciplined to make their strength and experience available for their brethren, utilizing all their talents for the exclusive service of their own private interests.” The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 521-522.

The whole paragraph written above is startling and yet true. It bears reading a second and third time through to grasp the full intent. To sum Bruce’s thoughts here is what he is saying; some are not all going to be the shepherd, some will only be sheep allowing those around them to be guided by them. The others, while still sheep will be those who stray as if their own interests are more important, undisciplined, unwilling to be found, and in some cases too stubborn to use their strengths to help others. Did you see something though? Bruce said, “Too many, however, come under neither designation.” Isn’t this sad?

It reminds me of a story told years ago by my former pastor. It was the story of the shepherd and the sheep. There was a young sheep that always wandered away from the flock, wandering about wherever he decided to go, even placing himself in danger at times. One day, the shepherd came to the wandering one and took his rod and broke the leg of the wandering one. The sheep went down, writhing in pain. The shepherd took the broken leg, anointed it with oil and tightly bandaged the broken leg. From this day forward the shepherd carried this broken sheep around with him each day setting him down each time in a good place to graze. This was because the sheep couldn’t go to where he wanted. This went on for several weeks, day in day out. After several weeks, the bond of the shepherd and sheep became increasingly closer as the sheep depended on the shepherd to seek out the best ground for him to graze. When the time came for the sheep’s bandages to become removed an amazing thing happened. The sheep by his close relationship formed with the shepherd over several weeks, never wandered from his side again. A bond had been solidified. This bond would have never occurred without the insight of the shepherd. The shepherd could have allowed that sheep to wander off in the past until he either fell off a cliff (sheep are pretty dumb by the way), or taken off by wolves who preyed on the wandering one.

I think you after reading the story may begin to draw some conclusions; however, don’t be so quick to see this as a justification for God to break down the one who wanders from Him. Peter wandered from Jesus many times in his past. What did Jesus do? He restored him. But along the way, Peter learned some very hard lessons which left lasting scars in his life. Even with his scars, Peter was still accepted again by Jesus…

Sometimes we think we know what is best for our life and really don’t or aren’t interested in God’s input. This is that wandering sheep syndrome. One day, we might need someone to help us along our way and I pray there will be someone there to help us. I leave you with these parting words from Jesus to Peter:

“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 (NASB)

Now is the Time to Grow into Our Responsibility

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. John 21:15–17.

“In requiring Peter to show his love by performing the part of shepherd to the little flock of believers, Jesus adapted His demand to the spiritual capacity of the disciple. Love to the Saviour does not necessarily take the form of feeding the sheep; in immature and inexperienced disciples, it rather takes the form of being sheep. It is only after the weak have become strong, and established in grace, that they ought to become shepherds, charging themselves with the care of others.” The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 520.

All of us start with someone helping us along in our Christian life. This week will begin a new chapter in the life of 5 new Christians within our church. We are matching each of our new converts with people who will begin to share and care for each of them through discipleship. We know our calling here at Grace. It is to lead those to Christ, baptize them, and then disciple them. This was Jesus’ plan for the church.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:19-20.

Now, let’s take a look at the paragraph from Bruce. He states the importance of growth within each converts spiritual life, then uses the life of Peter to help illustrate. Just because we love the Savior, doesn’t mean this is our final form. Our relationship while growing in love for Jesus also demands the care of others or “feeding the sheep.” If we only grow to love Jesus, we just become sheep. That’s what sheep do. They love their master and follow his leadership. Jesus intended each of us to become shepherds to the sheep. This process of moving from sheep to shepherd only occurs over time when spiritual strength and knowledge come as a result of personal growth within the Word of God. Then the sheep becomes shepherd who begins the “care of others.”

We believe in investing in the lives of others who have just recently come to know the Savior; not to just produce lovers of Jesus, but those who eventually will care and serve others as well. It is a “pass it on mentality” we want to share with all those who visit our doors here at GCC.

I always remember a quote from the late Howard Hendricks, who says this; “You cannot impart something you don’t possess.” I challenge you today if you’re not growing in grace or if you don’t know how, come and see us here at Grace Community Church and we will be glad to show you. May God bless and grow you today!

The Easy Road?

“After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.  Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.”  John 21:1–3, NASB.

“Out on the waters that night, what were these men’s thoughts? From the significant allusion made by Jesus to Peter’s youth in the colloquy of next morning, we infer they were something like the following: ‘After all, were it not better to be simple fishermen than to be apostles of the Christian religion? What have we got by following Jesus? Certainly not what we expected. And have we any reason to expect better things in the future? Our Master has told us that our future lot will likely be very much like His own, - a life of sorrow, ending probably in martyrdom. But here, in our native province of Galilee, pursuing our old calling, we might think, believe, act as we pleased, shielded by obscurity from all danger. Then how delightfully free and independent this rustic life by the shores of the lake!’” The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 516.

Does this somehow offend you about what he just said? It might. I mean, these are the disciples, God’s chosen men! However, take the time to consider in your heart and think how often man thinks like this each and every day. Perhaps they had feelings about the huge responsibilities and new burdens each one would have to carry from this moment on. In fact there is many times where we second guess ourselves in our latter years after having time to consider. We revive the old days and replay them to our regret.

Bruce asks a question which permeates the heart before we quickly pass judgment on the disciples;

“If the simple life they left behind was so very happy, why did they leave it? Why so prompt to forsake their nets and their boats, and to follow after Jesus? Ah! Fishing in the blue waters of the Sea of Galilee did not satisfy the whole man. Life is more than meat, and the kingdom of God is man’s chief end. Besides, the fisherman’s life is by no means so romantic as it seems at the distance of years. You may sometimes go out with your nets, and toil all night, and catch nothing.” pp. 516.

Often, the Christian life can cause many to look back at the course their life was on prior to Christ. Often, even I myself have asked what I would have done which could have been much easier than later-life ministry. As a former law enforcement officer, I have often been told by other police officers, “Now when people tick you off you can’t just lock them up, you have to listen to them!” I say this as a pun on words, but I think if you understand me at all you will know that this was never my intention, but just a jab by some of my former colleagues trying to mess with me. I also hope you can forgive me for my attempt at humor as well. It does however cause me in my closest thoughts of the past days and asking myself, “Why am I dealing with this situation when I could be sitting somewhere enjoying my retirement days and never having to worry about this!” But I haven’t chosen this course; God has. The call was extended to me some almost 14 years ago and I committed my life to serve Him forever. My course in this is that of Bruce’s words, “Life is more than meat, and the kingdom of God is man’s chief end.”

This doesn’t mean that all of us don’t think about what our faith has cost us sometimes, where we were safe and sound and free from potential harm. But it does cause us to think about our relationship with Jesus and consider what it means to serve Him. Do we love Him enough to endure the course He has set out for our lives? Do we take His road for life, or do we take the safe road without bumps and bruises along the way? Contemplation, I believe was very much on the minds of the disciples that night of fishing. To think otherwise might make these men more than they really are; Human.

I welcome your thoughts…