Why is it that when we compare ourselves, we tend to come out looking better?
At least when it comes to spiritual matters.
Have you noticed that? We rarely compare ourselves to someone further along. We tend to go the other way and make ourselves better in our minds.
This type of comparison is the opposite of greed. This is the pride of feeling better about ourselves by reducing everyone else. And we’re not the first…we won’t be the last either.
Last week, we saw the restoration of Peter by Jesus. As part of that, Jesus told Peter he would bring glory to God by dying for Jesus (John 21:18-19). We continue in that story in John 21:20-23:
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
John 21:20-23
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
New International Version
They had gotten up from breakfast, and like a nosy kid, young John was following Peter and Jesus. Seeing John, Peter asks about his future. Jesus had predicted Peter’s death, but what about John’s? How would he die? Would he die a martyr’s death? Was this frightening prediction also John’s?
Peter had fallen prey to what captures us a lot, too: comparison. We are frail creatures, aren’t we? We wonder why others have things we don’t. We may even wonder why some don’t have the things we do. We get caught up in comparisons and contrasts between ourselves and other believers. And somehow, in these battles in our minds, we always come out looking better than our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The correction Jesus offers is, “Pete, follow me. You let me worry about John.” Peter’s question about John wasn’t out of concern for the young disciple but of his human frailty, needing to compare himself to somebody. His pride was getting him in trouble again, and his mouth was overloading what his heart could commit to. Peter wasn’t the Savior, and his concern for others had limitations.
This is something every pastor struggles with in a similar way. I must remind myself, “I’m not the Holy Spirit. I can’t change anybody.” I must focus on my relationship with the Lord Jesus and feed you from that overflow, but ultimately, YOU are responsible before YOUR Savior for YOUR spiritual growth.
But whether or not I’m frail, I am to follow Jesus.
Whether or not Peter was frail, he was to follow Jesus.
Whether or not you are frail, you are to follow Jesus.
The Lord knows we’re frail; He isn’t surprised. Instead, He uses our frailty for His glory.
Putting ourselves on a pedestal to be better than others is not our job. Nor are we do compare ourselves to others and feel bad. We’re frail. And we’re (still) called to follow Jesus.
Life Meets Theology 