What Is It To You?

“Jesus said to him, ‘If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!’”

John 21:22

The Comparison Game.

It’s not a game that we have to be taught. We instinctively know how to play it. There are no brightly colored boards, cleverly shaped pieces to move, dice to toss, cards to draw, and there is no timer to signal game-over.

It’s a solitaire game. Though others will be assigned roles in the game, they are usually unaware and unwilling participants.

There are no rules, no final scores, no winners, and, in the end, no fun. There is no upside to the Comparison Game.

The Comparison Game.

It’s a game we are all likely to play at times. It almost seems to be part of our nature (hmmm?). It is a game with a very long history.

Scripture is filled with Comparison Game players:

Cain compared God’s response to his offering of the “fruit of the ground” to God’s acceptance of Abel’s offering of a “firstborn of his flock.” Then in jealous anger, Cain killed his brother. (Genesis 4:1-16)
The early relationship between Jacob and Esau could be described as one big Comparison Game. Jacob was a player from birth. Jacob’s failed attempt to pass his twin brother in the birth canal by holding onto his heel was just the beginning of comparisons and Jacob’s attempts to one-up his only-seconds-older brother. (Genesis 25:19-26)
The baby war between Leah and Rachel was the result of a massive Comparison Game that produced twelve sons who were the forefathers of the tribes of Israel. Leah felt unloved as she compared her strained relationship with her husband to that of Jacob’s relationship with his other wife (Leah’s younger sister), Rachel. Rachel felt devalued as a wife and woman as she compared her barren state to the prolific child-bearing Leah.

Other Comparison Games are scattered throughout Scripture, but the one Comparison Game that stands out most vividly to me is one that was quickly called out and cut short by Jesus.

The Apostle John records the post-resurrection story (John 21:15-23). Jesus and Peter talked seriously as they left the other disciples behind at the breakfast site and walked the shoreline of the Sea of Tiberias. Indirectly referencing Peter’s pre-crucifixion denial, three times Jesus lovingly, but firmly, questioned Peter’s love for Him and then allowed Peter to reaffirm his love.

The relationship was restored and Jesus commissioned Peter for a new phase of discipleship and ministry. Jesus also gave Peter insight into the type of death he would suffer as a result of his ministry.

John, the youngest of the disciples and the one most eager to be near Jesus, followed closely behind Jesus and Peter. When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus “Lord, what about this man?” Peter had just received a glimpse into his future, and now he wanted to know what the future held for John.

“What is that to you?”

Jesus responded, “…what is that to you? You follow me!” Jesus immediately shut down the Comparison Game that Peter attempted to start.

You. Follow Me.

Those words echo down the centuries to speak to my heart. They should speak to your heart as well.

As followers of Jesus Christ, filled with His Holy Spirit, we are each uniquely called and sufficiently equipped to live out the assignment that God has given us. We are to keep our eyes on the course, our “shoulders to the plow”, and our hearts and minds focused on God’s leading.

The Comparison Game should have no place in the life of the Christian.

Whenever we compare ourselves to others for good or for bad, we are using flawed standards for measurement. God will never stand us next to another believer to compare and measure us against each other.

God’s standard of measurement is simple: how well do you obey His directives as laid out in Scripture and how closely do you follow His leading in your life? His standard of measurement should be ours as well.

When we begin to compare ourselves with others, we’ll feel elated that we’ve come out ahead, or we’ll be discouraged that we’ve fallen short. Either way, the comparison is bogus, and our elation or discouragement is baseless.