My wife and I have this little phrase we often have to say to one another, “That is not your news to tell”.  It is amazing how quickly when we hear some juicy little tidbit that we quickly want to pass it on.  What I think about more often, is how eager I am to hear that little tidbit someone is willing to share.  I like to be in the know!  Really, if I think about it, most of us like to be in the know.  We want to know what’s going on; we don’t want to be left out.   I think part of that has to do with our comparative nature.  That innate compulsion we feel to compare ourselves to others.  To struggle with status matching.

The Apostle Peter had this problem. I personally like that God included so much detail about Peter in his Holy Word.  I think if it wasn’t for reading so much about Peter, I would often feel very discouraged about my life.   Peter was an incredible guy, who like me seemed like he got off track as much as he was on track.   I mean think about how incredible it must have been to walk on water!  But amazing as that was, the simple act of taking his eyes off Jesus nearly led to his drowning.

The story about Peter that is on my mind this morning is a different one.  Peter was often very impetuous, blurting out whatever he was thinking without really thinking.  The story in John 21:15-22.  We all are very familiar with the first part of the story, it is after the resurrection of Jesus and the guys are just finishing up breakfast with Jesus, and 3 times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him and three times Peter says he does and each time Jesus responds with specific commands (Feed my lambs, Tend my sheep, Feed my sheep).  Jesus then goes on to tell Peter about the projected end of Peter’s life and concludes with the simple command to “Follow me”.

Interestingly enough, that wasn’t enough for Peter, he almost immediately turned, pointed to John, and asked Jesus what about him?  Like most of us, Peter wanted to be in the know.  To track what was going on with those around him.  But Jesus responds and says to him “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”.  And that is the sticky point for us.  We all get more concerned with what is God’s will for everyone else, but Jesus reminds us by including this story in his Word, “What business is it of yours, you just follow me!”

Man!  There it is.  In very simple but hard to obey concept.

Jesus reminds us to focus on him.  You ever notice how rough life looks when we take our eyes off of Jesus?  Ever felt discouraged when you read more social media than the Bible?  I like the way the Apostle Paul puts it “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

What are you looking at or clinging to that has your eyes off of Jesus?  A broken relationship, church politics, your sin?

If we would take to heart Jesus’ question to Peter, it would prevent many church problems.  Peter later wrote in 1 Peter 4:15  “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” (KJV)

When you are looking at others, instead of Jesus, you are not following Jesus, but following after men. How God is dealing with other Christians is not our focus, how God is dealing with you is.  “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;” 1 Thess 4:11 ESV