Jesus Makes You

John 21:20-23 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.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
 
JOHN, the disciple whom Jesus loved, and Peter were very close. They and James were in Jesus’ inner circle and were privileged to witness some of Jesus’ miracles the others did not see. They were the only two who went to the tomb after Mary’s announcement. And it seems John was the only one who would be with Peter after Peter denied Jesus. When Peter and John heard Jesus’ remarkable mandate for ministry, the two friends naturally wondered how John would be involved. Jesus’ response, “What is that to you? You must follow me.”  was to direct Peter’s full attention to Jesus. There was no need to be concerned with John’s calling.
   We can easily become distracted from our purpose when we put personal relationships above Jesus. We can also compare our Christian life and calling to someone else’s work. But as the apostle Paul repeatedly taught, the church is a body of believers with different gifts. The many gifts and levels of gifts are necessary to plant, nurture, empower and grow a church. We know that God has anointed certain people to a great faith. They have done extraordinary work at particular points in history to grow the Kingdom of God.
   “Follow me.” and “I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) are Christ-centered commands. Jesus makes you who are in the Kingdom of God. You cannot be his disciple and servant under your own choice and power. Jesus enables, forms and controls your redeemed life when you follow him. Following Jesus makes you different.
   Acts records Peter and John ministering together in the early months of the church. But eventually they separated. The church grew as each – and the others – administered the gospel with their God-given gifts and missions to the world.  
   “Follow me.” begins with love. It moves toward submission to Jesus’ call to live totally committed to Jesus even to the point, “Someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Our mission and calling will be more effective when we reject our own desires to confess, “Yes, Lord. You know I love  you. I will follow you only.”