John 21:22 (KJV)

22. Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me.

1. Christ is the Sovereign Ruler and Disposer of His people . . ."If I will that he tarry . . ."
   Jesus is with seven of his disciples on the Sea of Galilee. He has just commissioned Peter to "feed" His sheep (teach them), and He has just revealed that Peter would die a martyr.
   1. Realize that God appoints all events of your life . . .
      The idea that God has something for you to do, but can't get you to do it is both illogical and unbiblical. God has the power to break the most stubborn of wills.
   2. Your life will not be like someone else's life . . .
      1. Some are appointed to greatness . . . think about the prince of preachers; the missionaries martyred on the mission field, the great men of faith. Peter is such a man, remembered throughout history for his life and death.
      2. Others are appointed to ordinary tasks . . ."If I will that he tarries . . ."
         John was not called to "feed the sheep," He was not called to die a martyrs' death.
         God places His people where He chooses them to be. Some find themselves on the sick bed abiding, some find themselves on the mission field serving. Some are rich, others poor; some are influential, others not; God disposes all.
2. Christians err when they question Christ's will for their lives . . ."What is that to thee?"
   Once Peter realizes what has just been said, he thinks of John, and turns to Christ and says, "What about him?" In other words, "What is he going to do? I give my life, what of his?"
   1. The Lord gently rebukes those who question His will . . .
      "Open rebuke is better than secret love" (Proverbs 27:5). "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten" (Rev. 3:19). Why did the Lord rebuke His disciple for this question?
   2. The Lord is concerned that you keep your eyes on Him . . .
      Christ had just said to Peter, "Follow me" (v.19). This is a good word for any of us who become sidetracked with the success, failure, or apathy of those around us.
      "Trials while following are light --- we have Jesus before us; trials while turning are heavy --- we have Jesus behind us" P.B. Power.
   3. An uneventful life is as much of God as any other life . . .
      We easily see the Elijahs who smite the baal-gods of this world, but what is less noticeable are the 7,000 God has reserved who do not bow their knees to Baal.
      "To be still requires as much grace as it does to be active . . ."
3. Christ instructs His people in the way they are to live . . ."Follow thou me."
   1. Your following after Christ is to be continual . . . "Follow" is in the active tense.
      Regardless of those Christians who are "shelved" or "wrecked" you are to continue.
   2. Your following after Christ is to be personal . . ."Follow thou me."
      You are not to be dependent on spouse, friends, or even fellow church members.
   3. Your following after Christ is to be relational . . ."Follow thou me."