December 26, 2023

Just Wanting To Hear Something Else

“Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who betrays You?’” John 21:20 (NASB)

            When I was a child, I used to like to listen to the adults speaking after dinnertime. I was especially interested when we had company over, like my relatives. It was a chance to hear the adults talk. I got to hear what they were more interested in speaking about as the night got late. Most of the time, my mom would tell me, “Mark, you need to get ready for bed.” One night, I crawled under the dinner table. No one knew I was there. I got to listen for hours. I guess I fell asleep over time, as my mom would grab my arm and tell me, “It’s time for bed,” but I didn’t want to miss out on the conversations. John was doing this as well as he followed behind Jesus and Peter as they walked away from the rest.

            “Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them…” Peter was concerned about John as he followed behind. He recalled the conversation that was made as to who it was that would betray Jesus before His crucifixion. What was John’s destiny, Jesus? What did John’s future look like? He wanted all the answers as he normally did. Lenski makes some interesting observations as he says: “What induced John to follow when Jesus turned to go with Peter is easy to understand. We know how his heart was drawn to Jesus, and how Jesus had granted him the closest intimacy. He and Peter were also companions of the closest kind (1:41; 13:24; 18:15; 20:2; 21:7; Acts 3:1; 8:14). We have no intimation that Jesus was saying anything more to Peter, or intended to do so. Hence we must not say that John came after them in order to hear what Jesus might say. If anything of a deeper nature may be assumed, it is that when John heard Jesus bid Peter to follow him, John caught the implication of this symbolical act, and his great love to Jesus and to Peter aroused him to indicate that he likewise desired to follow in the life course and to the death goal set for Peter by Jesus. Might it not be possible that Peter and John could go through life together as Jesus had once sent his messengers out two by two, and that John might even be joined with Peter in final martyrdom? And do not Acts 3:1 and 8:14 show that at first these two did work in closest companionship?”[1] And then Foster also draws some interesting thoughts as well: “As Jesus walked with Peter and gave him these words of admonition and warning, Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus loved (the apostle John, we have concluded) following along. We are not told what prompted Peter’s next question. Was there a trace of jealousy? Was it plain curiosity? Was it a genuine concern for John’s well-being? In effect, Peter asked what was going to happen to John. Jesus replied in the direct way that Peter needed. Simon’s attention had wandered again. He should not be thinking of John’s role in life; Jesus was talking to him about his own prospects. The Master simply replied that Peter’s real concern should not be the outcome of John’s life, but the commitment in his own life: ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’”[2]

            I wanted to be with the big adults as a kid. I respected them and wanted to listen. John didn’t want to miss anything either I think. He was and always would be the one near Jesus’ side.

[1] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). (p. 1433). Augsburg Publishing House.

[2] Foster, L. (1987). (pp. 229–230). Standard.