In my last post, we examined when Kefa Goes Fishing One More Time ~ Part 3. In this post, we conclude our story in Kefa Goes Fishing One More Time ~ Part 4.

We pick up our story by the seashore after Kefa confirms his allegiance to Yeshua with a discussion of what would happen to Yochanan.

²⁰ Kefa turned and saw the talmid Yeshua especially loved following behind, the one who had leaned against him at the supper and had asked, “Who is the one who is betraying you?” ²¹ On seeing him, Kefa said to Yeshua, “Lord, what about him?” ²² Yeshua said to him, “If I want him to stay on until I come, what is it to you? You follow me!”

So Kefa asked Yeshua, what about him? Kefa accepted that he had a martyr’s death awaiting him (see my last post), but he wanted to know what Yeshua’s plans were for Yochanan. Yeshua’s response was short and to the point: If I want him to stay on until I come, what is it to you? You, follow me!”

So, in essence, Yeshua said, “That’s none of your business, Kefa. If I want him to remain alive until my second coming, what difference does that make to you? You worry about yourself and follow me.”

God has a general will for all of his people. This is expressed in his biblical commands for all of his followers. But he also has a specific will for each Believer. Yeshua graciously revealed to Kefa his will for him. But he wasn’t about to tell Kefa his specific will for Yochanan.

We are called to follow Yeshua corporately as the Kehilah and personally as individuals. Each of us is to have a personal relationship with God through Yeshua and seek to discern how he wants us to serve and glorify him. You are not to use God’s specific will for you to measure anyone else, nor are you to take his specific will for another and use it to measure your circumstances. We are not to sit as judges regarding how God chooses to use other believers.

Yeshua rules out curiosity about matters that do not concern us or help us live a holy life, although he does not rule out a scientific inquiry into how the world works. Likewise, he excludes unhealthy, jealous competition concerned with comparing our lives, tasks, gifts, accomplishments, interests, and calling with those of others. In both matters, Yeshua’s central point is: You, follow me!

²³ Therefore the word (rumor) spread among the brothers that that talmid would not die. However, Yeshua didn’t say he wouldn’t die, but simply, “If I want him to stay on until I come, what is it to you?” ~ John 21:1-23 (CJB)

Like the final chapter of Matthew, the closing verses of Yochanan’s Gospel dispel a rumor. Matthew denied that Yeshua’s talmidim stole His body (Mat 28:11-15), while Yochanan sought to lay to rest the rumor that Yeshua had promised to return during Yochanan’s lifetime.

In my next post, we examine Yeshua’s Final Instructions before His Ascension.

Click here for the PDF version.