If you’ve ever worked with or raised children, you know that even young children understand fairness. Accidentally break Johnny’s cookie, setting two equal halves on the napkin, and Joey will say, “He has more!” Joey sees two pieces, not understanding that two halves equal one whole.
Here is Peter. Jesus is alive! But right before his death on the cross, Peter denied even knowing Jesus. As they sit on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, eating fish for breakfast, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter replies, “Of course!” Peter denied Jesus three times that night, and so Jesus asks him three times to reaffirm his love and trust of Jesus.
This could be a moment of sweet joy, receiving forgiveness from Jesus and being given a task to do for God, going forward, and also a warning of how Peter will die. Instead, Peter feels reprimanded, and in his discomfort, he looks around the gathering of disciples. He points to John, the only one who stayed with Jesus as he hung on the cross. “What about him, Jesus?”
“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
We look around and see the blessings God has given to others. We feel somehow slighted. Somehow less loved. That’s our insecurity talking. God is completely, fully love. He can’t be less love over here and more love over there. It’s not what he does; it’s who he IS. So, when we compare the blessings God gives to others against what we see in our own lives, we’re missing the point.
“As for you, follow me.”
That’s what this life is all about, seeking to love God and to love people. That is the focus that will change our comparison mindset. That’s the focus that matters.
Pray: Dear God, you are good and loving and kind. Every good thing I have is because you gave it to me. Help me to love you with all my heart and to love others, because that is what you have called me to do. Amen.