4/20/2019  1 Comment (at the bottom of this reflection.)

Today's question:
"Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?  Follow me!"

From John 21:
20 Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who also leaned against His bosom at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow Me!” 23 The saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Reflection from Scott Lynch

How am I doing Jesus?  Am I doing well?  Certainly I am as good as my brother, right?  You love me as much as him, don’t you?  The first thing that came to my mind while reading this passage and the surrounding passages was the story of Cain and Abel.  Comparing ourselves to others and wondering if we are as good, better, or worse than our fellow man is a dangerous trap.  From the very beginning of humanity, it seems, we have been in competition with each other for the affection of our Creator.  How short sighted we are!  God is love and God is infinite.  Therefore, love is infinite.  There is plenty of it to go around yet we act as if someone else may have more of it than we do. This human affliction has caused a lot of discord throughout history.

Jesus seems to be a bit frustrated by Peter’s attitude.  He flatly tells Peter, and the rest of us, to forget about what is going on with anyone else.  Keep your eyes and your heart fixed on me and the rest will take care of itself, seems to be His directive.  We each have our own set of circumstances, challenges, and blessings.  Everyone’s cross is their own.  We may be able to help our brother or sister for a time, but ultimately, we each must finish the journey for ourselves.  The love the Father has for all of us is shown by the very gift of Jesus’ human life, death, and resurrection.  The love He gives to one does not diminish the love for another. 
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So many times in our lives we encounter situations where we are not treated as fairly as we would like.  At work we may be overlooked for accolades or promotions and we feel resentment.  In so many of our human relationships we may wonder if we are as loved as we want to be.  That will never be the case with God!  I believe very strongly that I am loved by my heavenly Father as I am loved by no other.  Not because of what I do, but what I hold in my heart.  My salvation is my relationship with the Son of God and the faith that He has restored, forever, the bond between God and all of humanity.  Peace be with you!

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Comments

kay maloney
Sat, Apr 20, 2019 at 8:15 pm
Thanks Scott for reminding us that God's love is unending for each of us & that to he doesn't love any one person more than another person.

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About Today's Author

Scott Lynch is married and lives in Park Ridge.  His wife Judie is a high school Italian teacher. 

​They have two beautiful daughters and two rescue dogs.  Scott owns an art gallery in Park Ridge and loves to build custom furniture.

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