The Return Of Jesus Christ

Having just been recommissioned and told how he would die (John 21:18-19), Peter turns and sees the beloved disciple following. His question, "But Lord, what about this man?" (John 21:21), compares his appointed path with John's. The risen Christ does not satisfy the comparison. He redirects Peter to his own calling, exposing how quickly the heart measures itself against others rather than against the Master's command.

Jesus says, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me" (John 21:22). He asserts His sovereign right to assign each servant a different course of life, length of days, and manner of death. The phrase "till I come" points forward to His return. Whether a disciple lives long or dies soon rests in Christ's will, not in any comparison the disciple might draw.

No. John records, "Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die" (John 21:23). The apostle deliberately corrects a rumor. Jesus had spoken a conditional ("If I will"), and the church had hardened it into a false certainty. Scripture here models careful handling of Christ's words against the distortions that spread among well-meaning people.

It teaches that Christ's return is certain and personal. The angels declared, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). The Westminster Confession (33.1) affirms that God has appointed a day in which Christ will judge the world. The whole life of the church is lived between His ascension and that promised coming.

Because comparison distracts from discipleship. Twice Jesus says, "You follow Me" (John 21:22). The Christian life is not measured against another believer's gifts, hardships, or station, but against the call of Christ Himself. Reformed teaching locates assurance and duty in God's particular dealings with each person, freeing believers from envy and from judging another servant who answers to his own Master (Romans 14:4).

It is the apostle John, the beloved disciple. The text states, "This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true" (John 21:24). This is an eyewitness claim. The Gospel rests not on legend but on apostolic testimony. The Westminster Confession (1.4) grounds Scripture's authority in God its Author, whose truth the apostles faithfully recorded.

John writes, "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" (John 21:25). The statement confesses the inexhaustible fullness of Christ's works. The Gospel records what is sufficient for faith (John 20:31), yet the glory of the Son exceeds what any volume could hold.

They should follow Him in watchful, faithful service. Jesus warns, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42). The hope of His coming is not idleness but diligence in one's appointed calling. The Reformed tradition holds that knowing the day is set produces sober godliness, comfort in suffering, and steady labor until the Lord appears.

No. The promise "till I come" was given alongside the command "You follow Me" (John 21:22). God's sovereign appointment of the last day does not cancel present duty; it establishes it. The Westminster Confession (33.3) teaches that Christ would have us certain there will be a day of judgment, both to deter sin and to comfort the godly in their adversity, that they may watch and be ready.

It ends looking forward. The risen Christ speaks of His coming, the eyewitness seals his testimony, and the final verse confesses that no book can contain His works. The church is left following Him in hope, praying with the last words of Scripture, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20). The Gospel that opened with the eternal Word closes pointing to His return in glory.