What is it to you?

This is a question that Jesus asked one of his disciples and it is one of the most important questions, I believe, for all of Jesus’ disciples.

Jesus had been challenging Peter to follow him (Jesus) out of love for him (Jesus). Jesus also made it clear that following him was going to cost Peter. And then Peter, like so many of us, looks beside him, sees another disciple and say, “What about him?”

And Jesus Responds “What is it to you? You follow Me” (John 21:22)!

So much pain, division, and ruin has been caused by our tendency to look beside us and try to compare, compete with others, or control other people and other followers of Jesus. Asking, “What about him, or her, or them?” gets us off track from what we are to be doing and it also gets us off focus from who we are to be becoming.

At best this tendency leads to the mediocrity of the status quo and at worst it leads to divisions and even violence (e.g. religious wars following the Protestant Reformation). None of these are reflective of the radical call to follow God-With-Us into God’s good Kingdom.

Jesus’ response to Peter and to us is incredibly focusing and freeing. It simplifies our decision-making process and frees us from comparing ourselves with others or trying to control what other people think, say, and do. If we accept it, it is an incredible gift both to us and to the world.

The next time you notice yourself looking beside you, may you hear the words of Jesus asking, “What is it to you? Follow Me!”