"You Follow Me"

 I have a tendency to worry. Sometimes I catch myself worrying about other people not doing what I think they should be doing. Often I am quickly humbled when I realize that there are plenty of reasons for that worry to be directed at myself. 


There is a story in John 21:15-22 that helps me when I find myself in this situation. After appearing to His disciples a third time following His resurrection and enjoying breakfast by the sea, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Increasingly grieved with each answer Peter replies each time, “You know that I love You.” Jesus then tells Peter that he is going to be martyred for the glory of God. He follows this heavy and difficult news with a simple, yet difficult command: “Follow Me.” As Peter takes in all that has just been revealed and commanded to him, he turns to see John following behind them. “But Lord, what about this man?” Peter asks. “What is that to you?”Jesus returns. “You follow Me.” 


Like Peter, we as Christians are bound by the command, “Follow Me.” (Mt 10:38,16:34; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23, 14:27) It is difficult to walk in a straight line behind the Savior when are heads are on a swivel, looking behind us and side to side as we constantly ask “But Lord, what about this man?” It’s good to be concerned for others, but we need to keep in mind our directive: “You follow Me.” 

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