Unrestricted Commitment
by Dan Jones, M.D.
John 21:18-22
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
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?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
This is difficult scripture. This encounter with Jesus and Peter occurs after the resurrection. Peter had denied Jesus in the last hours before His death by crucifixion. Now Jesus has come to Peter and offered forgiveness and a second chance to serve Him.
But in this same conversation, Jesus also shares with Peter the news that Peter will be asked to follow Jesus in death - a painful death for his faith. Peter had the same reaction I often had when my father told me I would be punished for something I had done wrong. My first question was almost always "What about my brother? Does he get punished, too?" The only thing that could make my suffering bearable, it seemed, was if my brother suffered, as well. I wish I could say there was something good in my heart about this. There never was.
Jesus responded to Peter, much as my father responded to me. Don't worry about my relationship with someone else; let's just focus on our relationship. Jesus was expecting from Peter, from this time forward, an unrestricted commitment. Peter had failed Jesus earlier. Jesus was offering a second chance. But He wanted Peter to know that the road would still be rocky. The decision to "Follow me" should be made with eyes wide open to the hardships associated with a life of commitment to Jesus.
When we fail Jesus now, He offers us this same second chance He offered to Peter with the same conditions. He expects us to "Follow me" with an unconditional commitment to follow Him down any road. He expects us not to make our decision based on how we seem to be faring in comparison to our friends. He expects us to follow Him anywhere under any conditions.
Lord, thank you for second chances. I thank you for loving me despite my failures. Lord, I commit to follow you under any circumstances.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
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