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."

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Comparisons are odious. When we compare ourselves with another person, one of two things happens: either we feel good or bad about ourselves. In either case, we lose. And so does the other person. Yet we all get trapped in the game of comparisons. We compare our income, our house, our car, our children, even our wife to those of other men. And even if we win, we lose.

Peter struggled with this problem. After the resurrection, as Peter and the Lord were walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Peter affirmed his love for the Lord three times. The fisherman's words were fitting, especially in light of his three previous denials. But as the two walked, Peter glanced over his shoulder and saw John walking behind them. In that moment only one thing mattered to Peter--what Jesus had planned for John. "What about him?" Peter asked.

The Lord's answer is fitting for everyone who plays the game of comparisons. Jesus told Peter not to worry about John. Instead, Jesus told Peter to do one thing: "You must follow me." What an answer! And what a cure for the problem of comparisons. Instead of seeing how you measure up to another man, check out how closely you're walking to Jesus.