Jesus, His Apostles and Spin

John 21

20 Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast 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 spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Misunderstandings. Misconceptions. Agendas.

Jealousy and envy.  Spin - to make it seem all righteous and all right. What about this man?

St. Peter certainly experienced all of these things not only in this instance but in other situations detailed in the New Testament - before he was a saint. What about afterwards?

Our basic sinful nature is always with us. Our need to compare ourselves to others is one of the most basic forms of human failing.

Jesus had to correct St. Peter - once again.

If anything we can all relate to St. Peter because he was so up front with his faults. Peter wears his emotions on his sleeve as we say. Whether or not we bury those emotions is individual. 

But the sad fact of the matter is that we all have those emotions and we all have to deal with them as failings at some point in our discipleship walk.

If we spend less time comparing ourselves to others we are less likely to be prone to pride, bitterness, envy, jealousy and a myriad mess of other failings. We are far better off studying Jesus and His teachings while trying to follow them as we watch our own walk.

We can disagree with others without being offended by them. We can bring the peace of God to contentious situations. Let us hold fast to the marks of a true Christian; after all, we cannot control others but we can control ourselves.

Romans 12

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

AMEN.