Posts by Yong Joo Park:
“You Follow Me” – The Personal Call of Discipleship
John 21:20–23 (NKJV)
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
Message
I. Peter’s Question About John (20-21)
Jesus signified by what death Peter would glorify God in John 21:19. Then, Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following (20a). This disciple is John who wrote this book of John.
John had also leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” (20b). This shows how close John was to Jesus. They were intimate and shared the hidden truths.
There was a relationship of revelation and prophecy between Jesus and John. Jesus revealed the truth to John (revelation), and John later proclaimed it to others—to the world—as prophecy.
Peter, seeing this John, asked Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Maybe Peter was curious about John’s fate (21).
What was the answer of Jesus?
II. Jesus’ Response: A Personal Calling (22)
See v22.
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
From this, we learn that each one of us has God’s specific will for our own life. We don’t need to look at others or compare ourselves with them. We just need to obey the specific will and mission that God has given for our lives. We do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31; John 21:19).
Even though we follow the same Jesus, each of us has a unique destination—a personal path to glorify God through the journey as His disciple.
III. The Misinterpretation of Jesus’ Words (23)
See v23.
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
They misunderstood v22 and thought John would not die (23a). But v22 didn’t say that (23b). So, we should read the Bible carefully and accurately.
Again, we should focus on our own calling, as “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” is repeated in both v22 and v23. Let us not compare our journey with others. Let each of us follow the unique path.
Peter’s Restoration and Ultimate Devotion to Christ
John 21:18–19 (NKJV) 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify […]
Peter’s Restoration by Love and Commission
John 21:15–17 (NKJV) Christ Speaks to Peter 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second […]
From Failure to Faith: Evangelism and Fellowship in the Risen Christ
John 21:1–14 (NKJV) Christ Appears to the Seven Disciples 21 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. […]
Easter Message: The Resurrection and the Unity
Zechariah 4:9 NLT “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me. I. Background (9a) Zechariah 4:9 is the message that came to the Prophet Zechariah from the Lord (Zechariah 4:8). Zechariah wrote this around […]
Believe and Live: The Gospel of John and the Voice of Zechariah
John 20:30–31 (NKJV) The Purpose of John’s Gospel 30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. […]
Touching the Wounds, Finding the Truth
John 20:24–29 (NKJV) 24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of […]
Peace, Holy Spirit, Mission and Authority in the Risen Christ
John 20:19–23 (NKJV) Christ Appears to the Disciples 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said […]
Mary Magdalene: The First Witness of the Risen Christ
John 20:11–18 (NKJV) Christ Appears to Mary Magdalene 11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they […]
The Resurrection of Christ
John 20:1–10 (NKJV) The Resurrection of Christ Matt. 28:1–8; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12 20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and […]
