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If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? (John 21:22)

If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Image from bandofbrothersdevotional.com Peter asked Jesus a question about "the beloved disciple," who was John. Peter wanted to know what would happen to John. Jesus replied with the question: If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? And the question was immediately followed by a command, "Follow me!" We can preoccupy ourselves with matters about other people, but the question Jesus asks is about us and what we are doing. And the same command follows that: Follow me! We have barely enough time to worry about our spiritual life, why spend too much time worrying about those for whom we can probably do nothing for? It's like the airline procedure; make sure you're first, then help out. But, Jesus still says, "Follow me!" Dear friends, thank you for reading these points. This was the last question asked by Jesus and so this ends this blog. I have
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Do you love me? (John 21:17)

Do you love me? (John 21:17) Image from jeussisgod.blogspot.com This question was asked three times by Jesus to Peter. "Do you love me?" Yes, was Peter's response, and to each response Jesus said what he should do. The question is still asked of us today, over and over, and our actions or responses or lack of responses, answers that question to Jesus. We sometimes say in worship, "Turn to two people and say, 'I love you and God loves you, and there's nothing you can do about it!'" But the reality is there is a lot we can do about it. The question is, are we?

Children, you have no fish, have you? (John 21:5)

Children, you have no fish, have you? (John 21:5) Image from jamesjohnsonart.blogspot.com The resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. It seems the fishermen disciples took the others and themselves for an evening fishing excursion. They caught nothing. As Jesus appears to them He calls out this question: Children, you have no fish, have you? It's one of those questions that gets asked and the person asking already knows the answer. Many will remember your mother or father asking a question to which they already knew the answer and our response would probably define the reaction we would get from them. Jesus still knows our situation. He may ask the same type of question of our ministry or behavior, or lack of ministry; and He knows the answer. We should know to do all we can to change the answer. In this situation, Jesus offered the solution: Try it another way. And their obedience to that changed the results. We have to listen to Christ. W

Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking? (John 20:15)

Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking? (John 20:15) Image from adamswife.wordpress.com This question comes from the resurrected Jesus to Mary Magdalene who had come to the tomb. The question is to a grieving person mourning the loss of someone special in her life. It is a good question given what she and the believers all had heard that after three days would rise again. Crying is not bad, in fact, it is part of the healing process and a manner of coping for many people. But to weep in the face of answered prayers a cry of helplessness is not good. If we had sought the Lord and the Lord has appeared in the answers to our prayers, we have found the Lord, or better yet, the Lord has found us. We can then, weep tears of joy. Lord, bless those still weeping and those still seeking.

But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me? (John 18:23)

Image from bibleencylopedia.com But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me? (John 18:23) Jesus stands before Annas, the high priest, and His answer from yesterday to repeated questioning from all, prompted an officer to strike Jesus on the face. Thus, Jesus' question: But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me? It is sad to hear Jesus even have to ask such a question, but it was all part of the suffering He knew He had to endure for our sake. All the striking, spitting, ridicule, humiliation Jesus suffered was because of our sinfulness. Such is the love of Jesus for you and me. Have you stopped to think that sometimes our actions strike Jesus in the face again and again? His question still remains; But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me? Let us live a life that glorifies Jesus not strikes Him.

Why do you ask me? (John 18:21)

Why do you ask me? (John 18:21) Jesus is being interviewed by the high priest. His intentions were to trap Jesus once and for all; anything Jesus said could be and would be used against Him. The questions centered on Jesus' teaching in the synagogues and the temple; thus Jesus asking, "Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." We can ask Jesus anything we want. We can even try to trap Jesus and He will lovingly answer our questions and may even ask us if we love Him. Love is the foundation of trust, and trust the foundation of faith. Love more and believe more; believe more and serve more.

Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me? (John 18:34)

Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me? (John 18:34) Jesus is on trial before Pilate. Pilate has just asked Jesus if He is the king of the Jews. Jesus, as was His custom, answers questions with questions, and this is His response to this question: Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?' Jesus is basically asking, "How much do you know about me?" This question is a serious question and Jesus knew His fate to be what it was; but He wanted those hearing the interrogation to hear the truth that was coming out from the discussion they were having. Jesus is the King of kings, and Lord of Lords. For the believer, there is no question about that; Jesus is our Lord and Savior. But it falls on us to believe and live the response to knowing those things. Have you a personal faith in Jesus? And have YOU told others about that faith?