A Loving Rebuke

“Jesus said to him, “’If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’” John 21:22

At first glance, Jesus’ question—“what is that to you?”—seems a little harsh.

He says to Peter, in effect: “What I have planned for John is none of your business. Stop comparing yourself to him and follow me.”

Jesus allowed Peter no room for self-pity. He gave Peter no time to indulge his thoughts or feelings. Instead, He rebuked him for comparing himself to John.

We might be tempted to think that this is a rather insensitive and poorly-timed response from our Lord. I mean, Peter had just learned he was going to die a martyr’s death—doesn’t he need a little sympathy, compassion, understanding?

After all, a little sympathy and understanding is what we want when we think others have it better than we do. We want others to feel as sorry for us as we feel for ourselves.

And yet, this rebuke was the most loving thing Jesus could have said to Peter.

For Peter to turn his attention away from the Savior and look at John was the worst thing he could do. For Peter to compare his situation side by side with John’s situation was the most detrimental action he could take.

Sinful comparison is a futile and destructive exercise. It robs us of joy. It destroys our peace. It plunges us into despair and self-pity. It distorts our view of a wise and loving God.

And Jesus loved Peter, so He protected Peter from the trap of sinful comparison. He wants to protect us as well.