That’s what Jesus said to Peter in John 21:22 when Peter asked him about John and what would happen to him in the course of his life. In the context of this passage it is my understanding that Jesus is mildly rebuking Peter for being concerned about John’s outcome in life and for attempting to compare himself to John. “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
It is also my understanding that there is something here that is normative for all believers in Jesus Christ, for those who become his followers. (For the record, I hold “belief” and “following” to be synonymous — not separate events or periods in life.) What is not normative is standing on a beach, face to face with Jesus and having an audible conversation with him. What is normative, I think, is that we are all expected to follow Jesus, and no other. Continue reading
A light in the darkness 