December 27, 2023
Digging Under The Tree
“So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, ‘Lord, and what about this man?’” John 21:21 (NASB)
Back in my childhood during Christmas time, I remember constantly looking under the tree. I even knew when a new present appeared. By Christmas day, I knew who got what present. I even knew who was going to get the most or biggest present. This was learned through careful inspection under the tree when my parents weren’t around. When I located my presents and started weighing them or feeling the package, I was wrong almost every time. My parents rarely got me everything I wanted, but what I needed most. Many times, it was another pair of socks, underwear, or new clothes. Occasionally, I got a new football jersey which made my Christmas. Most of the time I wanted something like what my friends were getting. I wanted what they got.
“Lord, and what about this man?” Peter, being his usual self was overtaken by the thought of John and his future. What was his curiosity though? Dongell shares some of my thoughts as well: “Exactly what sort of curiosity may be impossible for us to say. Did it stem from the character flaw of ‘general nosiness,’ from a genuine concern for his friend, or from a suspicion that his friend would ‘unfairly’ be spared a gruesome death? This last option has strong attraction, due to the fact that Christian workers easily become disillusioned and bitter when comparing their lot with that of others in Christian service. Often begun as a tiny spark, the question, ‘What about him?’ is easily fanned into a raging fire which leaves nothing behind but ashes and smoke. Jesus intercepted Peter’s question while it was yet a spark and extinguished it immediately.”[1] Whether or not Peter was being nosey, or wondering whether John would receive a better, easier life no one will ever know this side of heaven. What is clear is the future was known by Jesus and Peter wanted insight. This doesn’t mean Jesus would have changed the course of each life, but Peter needed to accept the call Jesus had given to him first in verse 19, “Follow me.” In other words, “Peter stop worrying about everyone else and do what I called you to do.” This is much like us today. We want to know all the details about things that don’t matter. Most of it is none of our business... but we want to know anyway. Peter might even have had a genuine interest in John’s life forward, but Jesus knew it also could cause him to be sidetracked by something he need not be concerned about. Calvin also shares some wisdom for each of us as we consider the words from Jesus: “Out of ten persons it may happen that God shall choose one, that he may try him by heavy calamities or by vast labours, and that he shall permit the other nine to remain at ease, or, at least, shall try them lightly. Besides, God does not treat all in the same manner, but makes trial of every one as he thinks fit. As there are various kinds of Christian warfare, let every man learn to keep his own station, and let us not make inquiries like busybodies about this or that person, when the heavenly Captain addresses each of us, to whose authority we ought to be so submissive as to forget every thing else.”[2]
Like a child checks under the tree each year, it doesn’t change what is underneath. It doesn’t make the present change into what we want it to be. We each get what was given to us by our loving parents. John’s life was in Jesus’ hands, not Peter’s.
[1] Dongell, J. (1997). (pp. 249–250). Wesleyan Publishing House.
[2] Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). (Vol. 2, p. 296). Logos Bible Software.