Ever Wondered! Ever Asked!
John 21:21-23
NIV
When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" [22] Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
[23] Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
Very interesting reading! From the above, you can see that the subject of “ rumours” “misinterpretation” toli! etc are not new; they’ve been around for centuries.
The rumours were not peddled by “ unbelievers” but by “ disciples “; members of Jesus’ team. So when you hear or see similar developments in the church; please don’t be surprised.
The followers of Jesus were human so they were afflicted by human weaknesses one of which is “ rumour” mongering Yes!
Don’t forget they even argued over positions, offices, who was greater than the other. Some invited outsiders ( James /John’s mother) to influence decisions etc. Oh yes! Don’t you see these among us today? Partisanship!
Seriously, knowledge of these will help you see and accept that the fellowship is not a perfect one. It took some of us years to painfully come to terms with this truth and reality. We were naive and unfortunately still are! We have thought every member is sincere, genuine etc !
Worst of all was the betrayal of Jesus by his own right-hand friend Judas ( treasurer of the “ Yeshua Evangelistic Team, “ YET!)
Anyway, the subject matter which triggered the “rumour” has to do with how long someone was to live!
Jesus had spoken about how someone would be treated in his old age; this made Peter ask to know about “that person.” To whom Jesus replied
John 21:22
NIV
Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
How long someone lives is none of his ( our) business. What you are about to read are “speculations “ as to why we live “ long”. Keep in mind this is a “relative "expression.
Tall, short, long, dark, bright, rich, poor etc are all relative words. Take for example if I tell you I am tall I say so in relation to you because you are shorter than me. Compared with someone else I am shorter.
If I say I am fair, I say so in relation to you because you are dark. I hope you get the meaning?
Our point is that, we live long because of the following reasons ( my views !)
It may be that we have not yet finished the mission assigned to us! Once it is finished you’ll be called.
We live long because there is a wrong that we have done which must be corrected. Here it’s a privilege and an opportunity God has extended to us. If it lapses without us acting we shall regret it!
Or there is a good that it is only you who must do it, which you’ve not done yet.
Whatever it is each came with an assignment be it great or small, public or private, upstage or backstage. Until these are done none leaves.
So know why you are still here; while some are recalled you are still around. Remember the words of my hit song“Many left, many remained” Yes!
The caution is this , each assignment is tied to a time frame if you fail to act within the time frame you’ll be recalled and it would be a great regret!
So each day you wake ask “ Lord what would thou have me to do?”This is how you’ll know the reason and purpose while others leave and you remain. !
A thought to share, a view expressed. You are alive because there is something you are yet to do.
Search to know please.