What does "If I want him to remain" reveal about God's sovereignty? Setting the Scene • After His resurrection, Jesus walks with Peter by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:15-23). • Jesus has just foretold the kind of death Peter will face (vv. 18-19). • Peter, noticing the disciple John nearby, asks, “Lord, what about him?” (v. 21). • Jesus replies, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (v. 22). Key Phrase Highlight: “If I want him to remain …” • “If I want” underscores Christ’s personal, active will. • “Him to remain” places John’s lifespan entirely in Jesus’ hands. • The statement is unconditional—no permission sought, no negotiation offered. What the Phrase Shows about God’s Sovereign Rights • Absolute authority – Jesus exercises the same supremacy attributed to Yahweh: “Our God is in heaven and does as He pleases” (Psalm 115:3). • Independent will – His desires are not contingent on human plans (Proverbs 19:21). • Individualized governance – Peter and John have different paths, both equally determined by Christ. How Sovereignty Affects Individual Callings • Distinct missions: Peter will glorify God through martyrdom; John will serve through testimony and longevity. • No room for comparison: “What is that to you?” redirects Peter from speculation to obedience. • Followers are responsible for their own obedience, not for managing God’s will in others. Sovereign Freedom Over Human Lifespan • Jesus decides whether John lives or dies, echoing Job 14:5: “A man’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months.” • Authority over death and life vindicates Jesus’ earlier claim: “I lay down My life … I have authority to take it up again” (John 10:18). • Divine timing supersedes human expectation, confirming Daniel 4:35: “He does as He pleases … no one can restrain His hand.” Sovereignty Confirmed Elsewhere in Scripture • Isaiah 46:10 – He declares “the end from the beginning,” ensuring His counsel will stand. • Romans 9:18 – “God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.” • Ephesians 1:11 – Believers are “predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the counsel of His will.” Personal Implications for Believers Today • Contentment – Rest in God’s unique plan instead of comparing callings. • Trust – Confidence that every detail, including lifespan, sits under Christ’s rule. • Focus – The primary command remains: “You follow Me!” Obedience is our role; outcomes belong to Him. |
    |