READ
It's one thing to hear hard news about your own future. It's another thing to immediately glance over and wonder what the other person is getting. That reflex is so automatic that we barely notice it. We compare careers, families, health, timelines, even how our faith looks next to someone else's. Peter did it too, right after one of the most tender conversations of his life.
Read John 21:15–22 and notice how Jesus responds when Peter asks, "What about him?"
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 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?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
REFLECT
Start with where Peter has been. Not long before this scene, he denied even knowing Jesus, three times, on the worst night of Jesus' life. Now, on a beach after breakfast, Jesus asks him three questions: "Do you love me?" Three times Peter says yes, and three times Jesus gives him something to do: feed my lambs, take care of my sheep. It's a gentle, deliberate restoration. No lecture and no punishment, just a second chance and a job.
Then Jesus tells Peter something heavy. He describes a future in which Peter will be led where he doesn't want to go, and John says this points to the kind of death Peter would have. It's hard news. And then he says two simple words: "Follow me."
Peter turns around, and what does he do? He spots John walking behind them and asks, "Lord, what about him?" It's so human. When we're handed something heavy, one of the quickest ways to avoid looking at it is to glance at someone else's path. What's his story? Is it easier? Is it fair?
Jesus' answer is short: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." It might sound abrupt, but it's actually kind. Jesus isn't scolding Peter for caring about his friend. He's pulling him gently back to the only thing that's really his to do.
Notice that "follow me" is the same invitation Peter heard at the very beginning, when he first left his nets. It's simple and personal. It doesn't require him to understand the whole plan or to know how John's life will turn out. It just asks him to take the next step with Jesus.
Comparison quietly steals that. It shifts our attention from following to measuring. And the math never works out, because we're comparing stories that were never meant to line up. Someone else may have a smoother stretch, a bigger platform, or a faster timeline. Someone may have a harder road than yours. Either way, their story isn't yours to run. Different people get different lengths, different seasons, and different callings, and none of them is a lesser version of someone else's.
Here's the hopeful part: you don't have to live anyone else's life. You don't have to keep up. God isn't grading you on someone else's curve. He's asking you to take the step in front of you, with Him, today.
That's more doable than it sounds. Following Jesus this week might be something small: a hard conversation you've been avoiding, a bit of time set aside to pray, a decision you've been postponing. It won't look like anyone else's, and that's okay. It's yours.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
Whose story are you tempted to compare yours to? What would following Jesus in your own story look like this week?
When you compare, what are you really hoping to find out? Reassurance, fairness, or an escape from your own situation?
What's one specific step you could take this week that's simply yours to take?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Jesus, thank You for meeting Peter, and for meeting us, with forgiveness and a fresh start. Forgive us for the times we've looked sideways instead of looking to You. Quiet the voice that keeps asking, "What about them?" Help us trust that the story You've given us is enough, and give us the courage to take the next step in it. We choose to follow You today. Amen.