Sermon for Sunday, May 7, 2023

“What is that to you?”

John 21:18-23

John 21:18–23 (NIV): 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 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.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

Job 38:2–7 (NIV): 2 “Who is this that obscures my plans

         with words without knowledge?

      3 Brace yourself like a man;

         I will question you,

         and you shall answer me.

      4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?

         Tell me, if you understand.

      5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

         Who stretched a measuring line across it?

      6 On what were its footings set,

         or who laid its cornerstone—

      7 while the morning stars sang together

         and all the angels shouted for joy?

Job 38:31–33 (ESV): 31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades

      or loose the cords of Orion?

      32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth* in their season,

      or can you guide the Bear with its children?

      33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?

      Can you establish their rule on the earth?

*Literally means “constellations”, this word would transform into a Yiddish word “Mazel Tov” which means “good fortune.  In a Jewish wedding and certain Greek traditions, the term “Mazel Tov” is said at the end of a wedding ceremony and a wine glass wrapped in white linen is smashed by the groom by smashing it with his heel.  At the celebration meal that follows, the guests will shout “Mazel Tov” and smash their plates on the floor.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *