Not From the Same Mold

The image of John trailing along behind Jesus and Peter as they are having an intimate conversation will simply not fade away as the page is turned.  (John 21:20)  It has been an image which has returned numerous times as I have meandered away from the Word and into other pursuits.  The Word does this to us sometimes.  It is as if Someone is saying, "Hey, there is more here than you are seeing."   Or, maybe the Spirit is seeking to say a Word which we have no ears to hear or eyes to see.  Whatever the case, it seems that there is something more here. 

 

As I continue to walk with the image, I wonder what is being missed?  What is it about this image that keeps me from turning away from it?  It seems that John is intruding on a very personal moment between Jesus and Peter.  And as Peter sees him and speaks to Jesus about the presence of this tag along disciple, it seems that he is resentful of his presence.  As Peter asks. "Lord, what about him?"  (John 21:21), Jesus seems to be telling him to stay focused on his own stuff instead of trying to manage someone else's life.  What Jesus wanted Peter to hear was the Word, "Follow me,"  (John 21:19. 22).  It would seem that Jesus did not want Peter to lose his focus on the important thing.

 

Certainly, the two disciples were different, cut from different molds.  Peter was the one who seemed to view the world with more literal eyes.  He was the male counterpart of Martha.  Peter was the guy always looking for something to do.  On the other hand, John, appears more like Mary.  He is the one who is ready to be present, to be near, and to hear what is being said.  He has eyes to see things that most folks do not see.  While they were both leaders of the disciples and later Apostolic leaders of the early church, and while they worked together, they were not cut from the same mold.  Fortunately, Jesus can make use of folks cut from every mold which is good news for each one of us.