The focus and the exciting climax of St. John's carefully written Gospel is the resurrection of Jesus in chapter 20. At the end of that chapter we see John's purpose in writing the Gospel—But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing you may have life in his name (v31). This is why the Scripture is studied and preached, so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ and by believing we may have life in his name.

After chapter 20, we are ready to close the book and say, "Wow! Praise the Lord! That was wonderful." If this were a movie, we would expect the credits to roll by. But rather than the credits we see another scene: Chapter 21. The story seemed to be finished. Why is this chapter so important that it just had to be a part—in fact the final word—of this Gospel?

This chapter shows how Jesus is still at work in the world. His power would multiply through his disciples and those who would believe through them. The NIV gives this heading before verse 15: Jesus Reinstates Peter. Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night Jesus was betrayed. This passage records how Jesus restored Peter by asking him three times, "Simon, do you love me?" Three times Simon Peter responded, "Lord, you know that I love you." The exchange is fascinating. Jesus tells Peter the type of ministry he was to have and even the type of death he was to endure. Jesus ends with the simple command, "Follow me."

Christ is not done in this world. He is moving forward, and he tells Peter, "Follow me." Peter realizes how big this burden would be (especially martyrdom), so he begins to look around for some help for this task. The first person he sees is John, so he asks, "Lord, what about him?"

"If I want him to remain alive until I come, what difference is it to you? You must follow me." If Peter is to love Jesus, then he must be concerned with the tasks given to Peter. He must not look around at others but be faithful to Christ himself. You follow me.

Why is this chapter so important? Because the death, burial and resurrection is not the end of the story. Jesus has more that he is going to accomplish on the earth, but it will be through his followers. Jesus didn't preach and convert 3,000 men at Pentecost, Peter did—but it was Christ who was preached. Jesus didn't heal the lame man in the temple in Acts 3, Peter did—but it was in Christ's name. And so it is with each of the disciples. The Spirit of Christ is active. The work of Christ continues through the faithfulness of those who hear and heed Jesus' words, "You must follow me."

Christ does not give you the same commission as he gave Peter. But he does give each of us a commission and a command: You must follow me. We are to love the Lord with all our heart soul and might. This kind of love demands that we follow faithfully. It is not enough just to be fond of Jesus. Perhaps we love to come to church and worship together in the presence of the Lord; to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. I hope so! But that is not enough. We are called to follow him, to live for him daily in our jobs, in our families and in the world at large.

We can also learn from this narrative that we do not depend on our own strength and ability to follow Jesus. Peter is wiser than that. Earlier he made rash boasts and found out that he was not equal to the task. But here he relies on Jesus who knows all things. Peter was able to follow Jesus because the Spirit of Christ was poured out on him with power at Pentecost. Our ability to follow is also dependent on the Holy Spirit. Our power comes from his power.

Remember that the focus of your life in Christ is not on the difficulties and trials that you endure, nor even on the works that you do in Jesus' name, but on your Lord Jesus. You are to love and follow Christ. You are to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. There will be individual projects that concern you and individual trials that dismay, but your focus must be on the Lord you follow. Never lose sight of the reason you labor and persevere: You love Christ who first loved you. May it not be said of us that we are like the Church in Ephesus about whom we are told in Revelation 2 that they did good things, but left their first love.

This may be the most important chapter in John's Gospel. The others declare what Jesus has done. This one points to what he is doing. The book is still open. Do you believe and celebrate the resurrection? Do you say that you love Jesus? Then follow Jesus. Let his love and life flow through you. To those who would let his love direct their life until he comes again, Jesus says, "You follow me."