Cairo: Jesus in Egypt & God's Unusual Leaning
God seldom gives us all we need to understand, but He always gives us what we need in order to obey. The story of Jesus in Egypt as a boy offers a...
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Mar 22, 2017 1:14:22 AM
Someone else’s stuff always seems better than ours. Have you noticed? Even their struggles seem better. The temptation to compare yourself with somebody else can be devastating in the Christian life.
(Photo: By Michael Johnson, CC-BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
When Peter first met Jesus, the fisherman followed the Master out of a motive for glory and a prime seat in the kingdom of God. Peter wanted to be the “greatest” in comparison to others. But after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, a single conversation along the shores of the Sea of Galilee at Tabgha changed Peter’s whole frame of reference.
That conversation can also help you not compare yourself with the lives of others.
It can free you to follow Jesus as an individual.
Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Of course, Peter affirmed his love for Christ. Then Jesus looked far into Peter’s future and revealed what Peter’s love would cost him:
When you were younger you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go. —John 21:18
In other words, Jesus told Peter that he would die a martyr’s death—ironically, the very thing Peter had feared when he denied Jesus.
Jesus reminded the apostle of their beginnings together by saying something He had said years ago along these same shores (Mark 1:17; John 21:19).
“Follow Me!” Sounds simple. But then Peter asked a question.
(Photo: Shores of Tabgha, beside the Sea of Galilee)
Peter noticed John walking behind them. “Lord, and what about this man?” (John 21:21). Having learned of his own violent death, Peter inquired how John would die. Torture? Crucifixion? Come on, Lord, You can tell me!
Peter still struggled with comparisons. Jesus’ response brought Peter’s priorities back into perspective. “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” Then Jesus repeated the command, with a particular emphasis, “You follow Me!” (John 21:22). Just as we reveal our love for Jesus by serving others, so we should serve without comparing ourselves to others.
But how?
Someone else’s calling or cross always seems a better deal than yours. Compare yourself with him or her and you will react with envy, discouragement, or depression.
But answer Jesus’ question, “What is that to you?”
The Lord reminded Peter what all believers should remember:
And the motivation for such devotion? Jesus answered that with a question.
“Do you truly love Me?”
Tell me what you think: What’s your advice to help someone who is struggling with comparisons? To leave a comment, just click here.
This post is adapted from Wayne’s book, Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus: A Journey Through the Lands and Lessons of Christ.
• Enjoy an engaging, inspiring, and humorous travelogue that mingles the life-changing truths of Jesus with a walking tour of the Holy Land.
• Experience the Holy Land through the sights, sounds, and tastes of this personal travelogue, and discover how these sacred places influenced the lessons Jesus taught.
You will discover lessons Jesus has for your life.
Click here to leave a comment.
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