John 21:23 Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?"
How easy it is to misunderstand what someone says, and then spread the wrong information to others. Apparently that’s what happened in this case with Jesus’ comment to Peter regarding John. Sometimes we hear what we want to hear. Maybe that was the case with the disciples. It wasn’t a stretch to think that the risen One, who had just defeated death and promised His return could protect and preserve John’s life. They all believed God numbered their days, and they had just heard Jesus tell Peter about his future. Was it out of the question that Jesus might be telling John also about his future? I think they wanted to hear that Jesus would keep some of them alive until He returned.
That is speculation, of course, but the fact that they misunderstood Jesus and spread false information gives us reason to examine ourselves. Have we done the same thing? Today, let’s be careful listeners and faithful communicators of the word of God.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
