In this, our last lesson from the Gospel according-to the Apostle John, we have several different things happening almost all at once, including Jesus' final instruction to Peter, as well as a personal comment on the life's work of Jesus, by John himself.
Previously, we had seen Peter's jealous obsession with John (21.20-21), likely because of John's close relationship with their Master. However, we must realize that Peter and John had a very close bond, due to their years of travel with, and teaching from Jesus Messiah. And like brothers sometimes do, they occasionally experienced a personality clash, or two...and Jesus was very much aware of the problem. Although the timing is unusual, considering the near-end of Jesus' earth walk, John had obviously been "inspired" to make note of it. He was most likely the younger brother of Andrew, the sons of Zebedee...together nicknamed by Jesus, "the sons of thunder". So without a doubt, John had a temperamental personality, such as did Peter, which could have from time-to-time, ignited fireworks between the two!
It's also worth mentioning that from this point, John is rarely heard-from, up until his three short letters to the church, and finally, his "Revelation" of the Lord in His glorious eternity. In fact, according to Luke's record of the development of the early church, Peter is prominent, while John is second in evidence after him, if not third after James, the Lord's brother (Galatians 1.19, 2.9). But as we notice from chapt. 21.20, he is careful to make the point for one last time, that it was he whom "Jesus loved", and who had "leaned upon (Jesus') breast at the supper...", clearly indicating his role as one of Jesus' most trusted friends and confidantes.
Now for Peter to have ignored John's fate after having been told by Jesus, of his own as recorded in vss. 18-19, would have been very much out of character...unthinkable, in fact! It seems to have been a real flaw in Peter's personality that he had to know everything about everything...he wasn't one to "keep himself to himself", just as a lot of Jesus' followers still are today. Notice, however, that Jesus' response to him, as recorded in vs. 22, is a real brush-off. He had no time left at this stage, to play referee amongst these soon-to-be apostles; Holy Spirit would be in charge of that, mostly, once-and-for-all. For now, Jesus needed Peter's full attention...to stick with the program, as Paul had written in his first letter to Timothy...to "concentrate on your own business, and that of the Gospel!"
The Lord's business was His Own business, and it was apparently, none of Peter's business as to what the future held for John...their Lord certainly had a plan for each of them. We should well know as Believers, that our destinies are in the hands of our all-knowing God, and our Lord made it clear that from HIS perspective, there was only one expectation of Peter, and most certainly for John and for every future disciple as well, and that is..."Follow Me!"
Now of course, that exchange got another rumour started amongst the Jews...that John would never die (vs. 23)! Talk about misunderstandings; but notice the theology here concerning the Lord's eventual return...that it could happen even in your lifetime, or in mine. But isn't it all the same in the end, regardless of your personal theology concerning eschatology? We will one day be with Him, regardless of the time and the means, and that end will be entirely according to His providential will. I believe that this proves without a doubt, that what "the brethren" have to say about the matter is nowhere nearly as reliable as the holy, inspired Word of God, as recorded in "The Book".
So ends the apostle John's account of the "Greatest Story Ever Told". No mention here, of Christ's last commission to disciples-at-large; no mention of His ascension into the clouds; and no mention of the other disciples, who had missed out on these last few, precious moments! In fact, the record ends with a word picture representing Jesus and the disciples still together in body...but soon to be reunited in spirit. And so, we shall "forever be with the Lord"!
But before we close the Book on John's Gospel account, let's take a closer look at vss. 24-25, the personal oath and testimony of the chronicler of this Gospel record. This is the truth, and the whole truth concerning the Way, the Truth and the Life. And it's clear that the Apostle realizes just how insignificant his own efforts are, and just how huge the life and works of Christ really are...more than all the books of the entire world could ever contain! But this one book is just sufficient to have documented all that we need to know. Are all our questions answered there? Certainly not. Is there more that Holy Spirit may yet reveal to us? Certainly, yes!
I took the time to examine again, the starlit sky one night, and it just leaves me in awe to know that the Lord God has created all that is and ever was, recognizing that I am merely a nearly indiscernible speck, on what is barely more than a water mark on the multi-universal creation of Lord God Almighty.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God", John 1.1. He has also critically recorded in his first letter to the churches, 1 John 5.7-8, "For there are three that bear witness in heaven...the Father, the Word, and Holy Spirit; and these three are one." And of course, from John's record of the Revelation of Jesus Christ during his exile on the Isle of Patmos, the testimony of the ascended Redeemer, chapt. 1.8, "I Am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End...Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty."
I've sometimes heard it said that such and so, is a work in progress; well that would describe our great God's eternal Plan, Jesus being the King Who reigns over it all...and will bring it to fruition for us, in His Own good time!
Thus endeth John's very personal account of the Gospel record.
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