John’s final scene may have been included to disperse the rumour he references (v 23). To tell that story, he had to set it up with the rest of the chapter – and we are the richer for it. Imagine the gap that would be left if we knew nothing of that awe-filled breakfast on the beach, or Jesus’ intimate walk with Peter! What if Peter had preferred John’s lot and spent his time writing a fifth Gospel rather than laying the foundations of the early church? However small or strange our story may seem, living into God’s plans for us leaves a mark. Yet when it gets hard, how easy it is to hesitate. Like Peter (vs 20,21) we look around, wondering what others are up to, whether we’ll face this future alone or if there might be an alternative.

Jesus’ response refocuses us on all that matters: ‘Follow me’ (vs 19,22). The paths he has for each of us start and end in different places, traverse different terrain and last for different lengths. In places they cross, or run alongside each other, but no two are the same. Any anxiety that stirs is settled when we remember that he is both ahead of and alongside us (Deuteronomy 31:8), writing new chapters of his story in, and with, our lives (v 25).