Reviewing the life of Jesus, most of what we know was recorded by the disciples, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
The close association contributed to the occasional discussion among themselves, with their limited understanding of who He was, and what He was doing! We are made aware of one of those conflicts here in John 21!
While Jesus would know what was happening, He also endeavored to give them understanding, much of which unraveled after His death and resurrection.
In the 15th verse He shares with Peter, in particular, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You.” The Lord lovingly rebuked Peter with the thought: “Tend my lambs.” (To graze, to fodder.) As they moved onward he asked Peter again, “Simon, son of John , do you love me?” Peter replied: “Yes Lord; you know that I love You. He said to him, “Shepherd my sheep.” (Rule) He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
That rebuke left an indelible mark on Peter! At supper Peter, looks at John, (the one who leaned on Jesus) “What about this man?” To this Jesus replied: “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”
The classic verse of this portion: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” (John 20:25)
Two of Jesus disciples had to be reminded, “Stop thinking of other people, you are accountable for your own actions.”
Look how quickly we can twist people’s actions, or seek to make ourselves feel better by trying to get God to move the focus from us and place it on someone else. Peter does that in verse 22 when he sees John arriving: “Lord, and what about this man?”
The 23rd verse gives us Jesus answer: “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” Got the picture? Ted needs to be concerned about Ted!
-Ted
ETCetera 