Lesson Twenty Eight
BY THE SEA AGAIN
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Memory Verse: 1 John 4:16
Further Study: John 21:1-19; The Desire of Ages, pp. 809-817; The Bible Story, vol. 9, pp. 170-181
I love walking on the beach—the sound of the waves, soft sand under your feet, warm sea breezes, the call of the gulls. Just writing it makes me want to be there. Add Jesus, and it would be more than perfect! This is where Peter found himself—walking with Jesus on a beach having a private conversation.
The conversation was serious and most likely life-changing for Peter. Jesus revealed Peter’s future. Peter would follow Jesus, but one day he would die, and it would be as Jesus did. Tradition bears this out as we know Peter was not only crucified, but at his request, upside down because he did not feel worthy to die as Jesus did.
At the end of this conversation, Peter caught a glimpse of John following behind. He cannot resist. If Jesus was telling the future, what about John? How will he die? The answer was quick and to the point—none of your business (my paraphrase). “Follow Me.”
Growing up, one of my daughters used to frequently protest, “They’re copying me!” She wanted to be unique; do things no one else was doing. She didn’t want to be compared to anyone else or, worse yet, be thought she was actually the imitator. This continued from grade school into high school and college. It became a pet peeve and constant source of irritation even to some extent still today.
Comparing ourselves to others never really works out well.
Comparing ourselves to others never really works out well. Yet, we do it routinely. It starts when we’re young. We compare grades, clothes, athletic or musical ability. Then its houses, spouses, and jobs. Finally, its children. We watch trends. We follow celebrities. We make sure we’re keeping up with family, friends, and neighbors. Peter seemed to have the same temptation. While he’d been truly converted in the last days of Jesus’ ministry on earth, he couldn’t resist wondering about John. What about him?
Ellen White shares: “But he [Peter] could gain nothing by rushing on before the Lord. Jesus bids him, ‘Follow Me.’ Do not run ahead of Me. Then you will not have the hosts of Satan to meet alone. Let Me go before you, and you will not be overcome by the enemy” (The Desire of Ages, p. 816).
What an interesting perspective!
What an interesting perspective! We talk about following Jesus. We advocate and encourage it. But what we might not realize is following, not leading, is exactly where we are to be. To put ourselves out ahead of Jesus is to invite temptation and potential failure. True happiness is not found in comparing ourselves to others, in leading trends, but in service and the place where Jesus has called us, which is behind Him. When we walk behind Jesus day by day, following in His footsteps, we find contentment, and we are renewed.
Digging Deeper
If one reads the Gospels carefully, they will discover that Peter and John may have had a small rivalry. Note the match-ups between them at the end of Jesus’ ministry.*
- John sits next to and speaks directly to Jesus in the Upper Room before they go to Gethsemane.
Peter must ask John to speak to Jesus for him because of where he is sitting at the table. - John knows the high priest and is allowed into the courtyard.
Peter gains access to the courtyard only through John. - Johns stands at the foot of the cross, and Jesus asks him to care for his mother.
Peter is not at the cross, having left in shame, denying Jesus three times. - Peter and John race to the tomb on Sunday morning. John wins the footrace.
Peter loses the footrace, but goes into the tomb first. - Peter, John, and other disciples go fishing. On return, John recognizes Jesus first.
Upon recognizing Jesus, Peter jumps into the water; John remains to bring in the fish.
Rivalry? Perhaps. There is nothing wrong with a little competition. These two individuals were foundational to the beginning of the Christian movement. Jesus called Peter to shepherd His people. Jesus called John to witness and warn His people of last-day events. Both different. Both vital. God’s church values all gifts used in the advancement of His work.
*Some thoughts are taken from The NIV Application Commentary, by Gary M. Burge, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2000.
Making it Real
If you have children, spend some time in family worship talking about comparison. Bring two different pieces of fruit and ask them to compare them. How are they the same? How are they different? Is one better than the other? Why or why not? Do this several times with clothes or toys or books.
Then ask them to talk about people—perhaps people they know. How are they the same? How are they different? Explain that Jesus makes each person, and we are to be content with who we are just as He made us.
If you don’t have children or your children are grown, think about comparison. Do you compare yourself with others? What do you think when others might “copy” you? How is comparing ourselves not the best thing to do? Why is Jesus the best one to compare to?
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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.