Passage Read: John 21 - Acts 1
Meditation Verses: John 21:18-22
Thought
Peter received his restoration and personal commission, but with it, some hard news about the future. He would get his chance to prove his ultimate devotion to Christ by dying for Him. In the moment, though, whether out of curiosity or a bit of rivalry or a desire for equality, when he noticed John following them, he asked about John's future. Jesus told him that was none of his business; Peter didn't need to worry about how another would glorify Jesus, he just need to focus on what the Lord commissioned him to do.
Application
And that's an important lesson: I don't need to concern myself or compare myself with others, both in the commission God gives them and in the means by which they glorify Jesus, whether in life or death. Devotion isn't measured by accomplishment or difficulty of death, but in completing the task Jesus gives me. I may have to die more in this life than others to complete the task given me, and I may have a harder death than others. That doesn't mean I'm less loved or more loved. It only means that was the plan of God for my life and His glory. It is so easy to compare the struggle of my task against the ease of others', but that's not what God wants. He just wants me to play the part He assigns to the best of my ability, whether others have it easier or harder. He is the orchestrator of my life and testimony for His own goals and glory; I'm His to do with as He pleases for His own goals and glory.