Focus On The Lord

Focus on the Lord. In life, this is the best advice anyone can be given. In today’s Gospel, we see Peter begin to lose focus and worry about what will happen to the Beloved Disciple. Jesus reminds Peter to remain focused on him. As you read this Gospel, think about the things in your life that are causing you to lose focus on Jesus.

Focus On The Lord

Gospel - John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,

the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper

and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?"

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?"

Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come?

What concern is it of yours?

You follow me."

So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.

But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,

just "What if I want him to remain until I come?

What concern is it of yours?"

It is this disciple who testifies to these things

and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.

There are also many other things that Jesus did,

but if these were to be described individually,

I do not think the whole world would contain the books

that would be written.

Scriptural Analysis

John closes his Gospel with a brief story about himself. Tradition holds that John was the last of the disciples to die; the only one who was not martyred. He wrote his Gospel around 90 A.D. and likely had learned of the deaths of the other disciples. It is possible that this anecdote was included to explain why John lived to old age.

The focus of this chapter has been on Peter, but now it shifts to the Beloved Disciple, John. Thus far, each time we see Peter and John in the Gospel, John has some insight or privilege that Peter has lacked. However, we clearly see that John is now following Peter. Peter asks the Lord a question, “Lord, what about him?” Recall that Jesus had just told Peter that he was going to die for him, “When you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” (John 21:18) Thus asking if John would suffer the same fate is a logical response.

Jesus responds with a powerful statement, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." In essence, Jesus is telling Peter not to worry about that but to remain focused on me.

This statement gets interpreted in various ways. One such way was that John would not die but rather live to see the second coming of Jesus. Recall that the disciples expected that Jesus would return quickly. To correct this, John clarifies that Jesus did not say he would never die, but only what if I wanted him not to die.

John closes his Gospel by indicating that it was he, the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had written this Gospel. He notes that he testifies to these things and that his testimony is true. He also notes that there are many other things he could have included in his Gospel but did not. Although John did die, the words of Jesus hold true: his Gospel will remain until Jesus comes again.

Daily Application

The spiritual life is often filled with distractions. A variety of factors can capture our attention and distract us from our focus. Peter was distracted by John and what would happen to him. Jesus corrects Peter and tells him to remain focused on the Lord.

The same thing can happen to us as well. We can begin to focus on something else and lose sight of the Lord. Now, that is not to say that we should ignore our responsibilities or fail to have concern for people. Indeed, it is right for a father to want to provide for his family or a mother to care for her children. However, those activities must be done so with the right mindset and approach. Our willingness to sacrifice to provide for our families or care for a child must flow from our relationship with the Lord. It must be what our Lord is asking us to do.

This Gospel provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our life: on our daily activities. What are those things that we are doing because we want to do them, not because the Lord has asked us to do them? Take that list to prayer and allow the Lord to guide you. When we do this, two things happen. First, our lives become simpler. Following the Lord is challenging but not complex. Complexity comes from the evil one. Second, your life will be much more peaceful. There is great peace that comes from following the Lord. Again, not that it is easy, picking up our cross is hard, but it will be filled with peace. Listen to the Lord, “You follow me!”