If You Love Me...What Is That To Thee?
Text: John 21:18–23
Theme: Staying faithful and following the Lord because you love him
In John 21, Jesus confronts Peter with one of the most searching questions ever asked of a disciple: Do you love me? Peter had already affirmed his love, declaring, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee” (John 21:17). Yet Jesus did not leave Peter with mere words. He immediately connected Peter’s love with responsibility: “Feed my sheep.” Love for Christ was not to remain in Peter’s heart alone, it was to govern Peter’s life.
This principle had already been established earlier when Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and again, “If a man love me, he will keep my words” (John 14:23). True love for Christ is demonstrated through faithful obedience.
Jesus then revealed to Peter that his future would include suffering and death. He said, “When thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not” (John 21:18). John explains that Jesus spoke this “signifying by what death he should glorify God” (John 21:19). In Peter’s youth, he had walked wherever he wished, governed by his own will and strength. He had once boldly claimed he would die for Christ (John 13:37), yet when the moment of testing came, he denied the Lord (John 18:17, 25–27). But now, Peter would live long enough to prove his love; not through impulsive declarations, but through enduring faithfulness. His eventual martyrdom would not glorify his own courage, but God’s grace working through him. Scripture reminds us, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).
After revealing Peter’s future, Jesus gave him a simple command: “Follow me” (John 21:19). This command lies at the heart of discipleship. However, Peter immediately turned and asked about John’s future, saying, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” (John 21:21). Jesus answered with words that still correct believers today: “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:22). Jesus made it clear that Peter’s responsibility was not to compare his calling with another’s, but to remain faithful to his own calling. Comparison distracts from obedience. Faithfulness requires focus on Christ alone. The Christian life is not about measuring our path against others, but about personally following the Lord wherever he leads.
Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the importance of following after spiritual things. Believers are instructed to follow “the things which make for peace” (Romans 14:19), to “follow after charity” (1 Corinthians 14:1), to press toward spiritual maturity (Philippians 3:12), and to pursue “that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Paul instructed Timothy to follow “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Each of these commands reflects a life oriented around Christ. Following him is not a one-time decision, but a lifelong commitment rooted in love.
Jesus also corrected a misunderstanding about John’s future. Some believed Jesus had promised John would never die, but that was not what he said (John 21:23). John would indeed suffer persecution and exile, yet he remained faithful. While banished to the Isle of Patmos, he received the revelation of Jesus Christ and recorded the prophetic vision of the Lord’s return (Revelation 1:9–19). Peter would die a violent martyr’s death, while John would live to old age and die peacefully. Both glorified God; not because of how they died, but because of how they lived. Faithfulness, not circumstance, is what matters. Jesus said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Ultimately, the question Jesus asked Peter is the same question he asks every believer: Do you love me? Everything flows from that question. God demonstrated his love for us through the sacrifice of Christ: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He loved us first, and our love for him is the response: “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Faithfulness is simply love expressed through obedience over time.
Faithfulness is rare. The psalmist cried, “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men” (Psalm 12:1). Solomon asked, “A faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6). Yet God promises, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings” (Proverbs 28:20). Whether one’s path leads through suffering like Peter, endurance like John, or deliverance at Christ’s return, the call remains the same: Follow him.
In the end, the issue is not what God asks of others. The issue is what he asks of you. And the answer to that question will always be the same: If you love him, follow him.
Theme: Staying faithful and following the Lord because you love him
In John 21, Jesus confronts Peter with one of the most searching questions ever asked of a disciple: Do you love me? Peter had already affirmed his love, declaring, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee” (John 21:17). Yet Jesus did not leave Peter with mere words. He immediately connected Peter’s love with responsibility: “Feed my sheep.” Love for Christ was not to remain in Peter’s heart alone, it was to govern Peter’s life.
This principle had already been established earlier when Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and again, “If a man love me, he will keep my words” (John 14:23). True love for Christ is demonstrated through faithful obedience.
Jesus then revealed to Peter that his future would include suffering and death. He said, “When thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not” (John 21:18). John explains that Jesus spoke this “signifying by what death he should glorify God” (John 21:19). In Peter’s youth, he had walked wherever he wished, governed by his own will and strength. He had once boldly claimed he would die for Christ (John 13:37), yet when the moment of testing came, he denied the Lord (John 18:17, 25–27). But now, Peter would live long enough to prove his love; not through impulsive declarations, but through enduring faithfulness. His eventual martyrdom would not glorify his own courage, but God’s grace working through him. Scripture reminds us, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).
After revealing Peter’s future, Jesus gave him a simple command: “Follow me” (John 21:19). This command lies at the heart of discipleship. However, Peter immediately turned and asked about John’s future, saying, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” (John 21:21). Jesus answered with words that still correct believers today: “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:22). Jesus made it clear that Peter’s responsibility was not to compare his calling with another’s, but to remain faithful to his own calling. Comparison distracts from obedience. Faithfulness requires focus on Christ alone. The Christian life is not about measuring our path against others, but about personally following the Lord wherever he leads.
Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the importance of following after spiritual things. Believers are instructed to follow “the things which make for peace” (Romans 14:19), to “follow after charity” (1 Corinthians 14:1), to press toward spiritual maturity (Philippians 3:12), and to pursue “that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Paul instructed Timothy to follow “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Each of these commands reflects a life oriented around Christ. Following him is not a one-time decision, but a lifelong commitment rooted in love.
Jesus also corrected a misunderstanding about John’s future. Some believed Jesus had promised John would never die, but that was not what he said (John 21:23). John would indeed suffer persecution and exile, yet he remained faithful. While banished to the Isle of Patmos, he received the revelation of Jesus Christ and recorded the prophetic vision of the Lord’s return (Revelation 1:9–19). Peter would die a violent martyr’s death, while John would live to old age and die peacefully. Both glorified God; not because of how they died, but because of how they lived. Faithfulness, not circumstance, is what matters. Jesus said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Ultimately, the question Jesus asked Peter is the same question he asks every believer: Do you love me? Everything flows from that question. God demonstrated his love for us through the sacrifice of Christ: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He loved us first, and our love for him is the response: “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Faithfulness is simply love expressed through obedience over time.
Faithfulness is rare. The psalmist cried, “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men” (Psalm 12:1). Solomon asked, “A faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6). Yet God promises, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings” (Proverbs 28:20). Whether one’s path leads through suffering like Peter, endurance like John, or deliverance at Christ’s return, the call remains the same: Follow him.
In the end, the issue is not what God asks of others. The issue is what he asks of you. And the answer to that question will always be the same: If you love him, follow him.
Posted in Discipleship, Faithfulness, Judgment Seat of Christ, Love, Sacrifice, Service, Words of God
Posted in Faithfulness, Discipleship, love, Service, Sacrifice
Posted in Faithfulness, Discipleship, love, Service, Sacrifice
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