Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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John 21

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Read: John 21 focusing on vv.21-22


When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

– John 21:21–22


Reflect:


Jesus is talking with Peter right before this about what’s going to happen to Him in the days ahead and specifically how He’s going to die. Then Peter sees John and says to Jesus, “Well, what about him?” And Jesus looks back at him and says, “What is that to you? Even if I keep him alive until I come, you follow me.”


Jesus is addressing here (in Peter and in us) the tendency we have to compare ourselves with others, with other followers of Jesus, and with what God is doing in their lives.


This plays out in so many different ways in our lives when we walk through trials and we see others that are seemingly “comfortable” and we think, “Why? Why me? Why not them?” Or when we see God working in someone’s life in a beautiful, even powerful way, and we think, “Why is God not working in my life in this way?” Or vice versa, maybe God is doing something in us, through us, leading us to a mountaintop, then we look around and we can compare ourselves with others who may not be seeing or being used by God in the same way.


Relate:


Jesus is saying to every single one of us, “You follow me.” God is working in so many different ways in every individual life. He is all wise. He is doing what He is doing in me and through me and in you, and through you and every other disciple of His.


The daily focus in all of our lives needs to be keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, celebrating His grace in each other’s lives, praying for His mercy and grace in each other’s lives. We need to fix our eyes moment by moment on following Him and doing what He calls each of us to do, knowing He’s working His will in all of these together. If we’re all abiding in Him, following Him, He will lead us. He will guide us. He will direct us, our paths, our steps together in ways that bring Him glory.


Rest:


Oh God, we pray for this. Help us all today, every one of us, just to fix our eyes on your Son, Jesus, and follow Him to do whatever you are calling us to do today.


God, we pray specifically that you would deliver us from unhealthy comparison with others or certainly competition with others. God, help us to rejoice in the grace you have given to each of us and to fully steward your calling in each of our lives as we encourage each other to follow you and your calling in each other’s lives. And we pray that in the process you would spin our lives however you want in your wisdom, individually and together for your glory.


God, even as we pray for the spread of the gospel, the nations, we pray that you’d help each of us to play the unique part you’re calling us to play in that.


In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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