What about him?
A teaching for teens · John 21:20–22
20Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” 21When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
Context
After the resurrection, Jesus met Peter on the shore of Galilee. Peter had denied him three times, and now Jesus asked him three times whether Peter loved him, giving back to him the mission of caring for the sheep. Then he hinted that Peter would die because of his faith. It was a heavy, intimate conversation. Right after that, Peter looked back and saw the disciple Jesus loved, whom tradition identifies as John.
What the Bible teaches
Peter has just been forgiven and given a mission. What’s the first thing he does? He looks to the side and asks: “Lord, what about him?” It’s the most human reflex in the world. We’ve barely received something from God and already want to know whether the other person got more, or less, or got it more easily.
Social media has turned that reflex into a routine. You see the best clips of other people’s lives and compare them with your own behind-the-scenes: body, trips, relationships, grades, talent. Comparison does two bad things. Either it puffs you up, when you think you’re better, or it crushes you, when you think you’re worse. Either way, you stop looking at your own path.
Jesus’ answer is almost blunt: “what is that to you? You follow Me!” It’s not contempt for the question; it’s bringing the focus back. The other person’s story is between them and God. Yours is between you and God. That isn’t selfishness, it’s freedom. Peter and John had very different lives, and both were faithful. You don’t have to beat anyone to be called.
In practice
This week, notice how you feel after scrolling your feed. Every time you catch yourself comparing, mute or unfollow an account that drags you down, and trade ten minutes of scrolling for something on your own path.
To talk about
Who do you compare yourself with most right now, and what do you think Jesus would say to you about it?
Prayer
Jesus, I confess I’m always looking to the side. Sometimes I think I’m better than others, sometimes I feel like garbage. Take my eyes off other people’s lives and put them on the path you gave me. Give me courage to follow you at my own pace, without competing with anyone. Amen.
See also: Peter's restoration.