Then he said to him, “Follow me!” – Jn. 21:19

It was a cold and breezy morning on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (Jn. 21:1-23). The resurrected Jesus appear Focused Died to seven of His disciples after a night of fruitless fishing expedition. He dined with them over some hot broiled fish and bread, after which Jesus reinstated and commissioned Peter (9-17). Knowing that the time had come for Him to ascend to heaven, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me” (19).

So, what was Peter’s problem? Coming at the heal of his restoration, why didn’t he ask Jesus for direction and strength to obey and to resist every trial and temptation. Why did he take his eyes from his Master by concerning himself with John’s situation? Did Peter learn anything from his sea-walk experience (Matt. 14:28-33)? Why did he repeat the same mistake on the shore of the same sea this time around?

Sadly, that’s human nature. Under different circumstances, we quickly forget the lessons of our past, and our tendency steers us towards self-gratification. At such times, the environment clouds our thinking, and other people and things become our concern.

 However, if we are to do God’s will as Disciples of Christ, we must remember that God does not hold us accountable for anyone apart from ourselves. The environment and circumstances are not acceptable excuses. Our only duty is absolute obedience, and that’s discipleship.

 True discipleship is about doing the will of God. It’s not intellectual accent or mere works. It is a heart yielded to the life of Christ, and a commitment to total obedience. It is a life of selfless devotion and self-emptying (Phil. 2:5-8). It’s neither a title nor program. It is a personal relationship with Christ. It’s, therefore, a Christ-centered and Christ-focused living with hopeful expectation (Heb. 12:2). The disciple has their heart set on heavenly things and their minds absorbed in eternal considerations (Col. 3:1-2). They are convinced of their decision to follow Jesus. They are disciplined, unyielding, and joyful in their walk with Him. That is the life Christ calls His followers to live and to commit to in the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me” (Jn. 21:19), that’s exactly what He expected, and it is His expectation of us as well.

The critical decision for you today is to commit to discipline your mind to stay on Jesus and to trust Him always. The focus of our lives should be the author and finisher of our salvation, not on anyone or circumstance.

So, let’s quit concerning ourselves with the sneaky expectation to see others behave as we do. Let us stop peeking to know what would happen to their future. God has written His screenplay for all of us. Our parts are custom-made to our unique personalities and divinely appointed abilities. We will do well to focus on our part and be faithful to our call.

As Christ asked Peter, “What is that to you,” about John (Jn. 21:23), so He asks you, “What’s it to you concerning the person next to you, but to heed to His call to follow Him?”