Getting It Straight

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? John 21:23

It's amazing what people can come up with when they don't "rightly divide the Word", isn't it? I think we sometimes feel like misunderstanding God's Word is something new. It isn't. That's where the Pharisees went wrong--not in not believing God's Word, but in misconstruing it. The disciples did the same here. They heard what Christ said, believed it...and took it one step too far. Two lessons to take from this:
1) Don't be afraid to be wrong. Study the Word, try to understand it. Don't be afraid of it! You think it's too deep for you? Oh, it is, I guarantee it. But that's ok! You're in good company--it was too deep for the people who WROTE it! Don't let a lack of confidence keep you from growing. Be brave. Read, study, meditate.
2) Ready yourself to realize you had it wrong. Part of rightly dividing the Word of God is being willing to admit you didn't get it right the first time. And sometimes that so-and-so did, too. Remember, these men who totally messed up what Jesus said (and spread that mistake to everyone they taught) were men who were later used to pen various parts of Scripture. No one has a corner on understanding it all, not even you or I. So while you're being confident enough to try...be humble enough to be flexible.