Not worried about rumors

"So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say that he was not to die, but 'If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?'" (John 21:23)

It's a funny coda to the narrative of Christ's earthly life. From one perspective, all the gospels are a record of Jesus saying one thing and the disciples thinking he said something else. He goes around speaking of love, and they ask Jesus for permission "to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume [the Samaritans]" (Luke 9:54). He preaches humility, and they argue all the way to Judea about who's the greatest (Luke 9:46).

In the last chapter of John we shake our heads to learn that Jesus is misunderstood and garbled to the end. Peter has just been informed that he will die a martyr's death, and he turns around and looks at John and says, "What about him?" Jesus replies, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" Which, of course, is not at all the same as saying that John will remain until he comes. But that's the rumor that went flying.

That was a rumor among the brethren, no less, not the heathen. But there were rumors among the heathen that were more pernicious. The resurrection of Jesus was followed by a cover-up in which the soldiers were bribed and a falsehood was systematically spread that Jesus' body had been stolen. That lie was still circulating when Matthew wrote his gospel (Matthew 28:11-15).

I am greatly encouraged by all these falsehoods. I am encouraged because I can see that God expected this and is not threatened by it. His truth will prevail long after every lie has been consumed like a moth in a furnace.

So you and I too should not bother much about rumors or false accusations hatched about our own persons. The truth will out in the end. All you have to do is sit tight and watch.