Follow

We have no way of knowing what the conversation was like when Jesus called His twelve disciples into ministry, but we do know that He ultimately drew them by saying the words “Follow Me.” Have you ever thought about how extreme it was for these men to leave everything behind at that point, and go on mission with Jesus for the next three years of their lives?
 
Follow me. What does that really mean? Here are some thoughts . . .
 
1)    Following involves trusting. And with that trust comes the security in knowing that Jesus is going ahead of us, paving the way! John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”There is something very freeing about that concept, as we apply it to our lives. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is clearing a path and leading us to our next step. And in reality, He is behind us as well. Psalm 139:5 says, “You hem me in, behind and before.” He watches over our comings and goings (Psalm 121). He never leaves or forsakes us (Joshua 1:5). He is ever-present (Psalm 46:1), working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). So when we choose to follow, we choose to trust (Prov. 3:5-6).
 
2)    Following involves watching and mimicking.Remember the game “Follow the Leader”? This was an activity where the “leader” would walk a path and others would follow, copying his actions. Any players who failed to do what the leader did would be out of the game. When we follow Jesus, we emulate Him. And while it’s a given that we’ll not reach perfection in this world, God has called us to be more like Christ. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2). So following Christ means mirroring Him.
  
3)    Following involves surrender. John 21 tells the story of Peter’s reinstatement into ministry after his denial of Christ. Jesus asked Peter the question “Do you love me?” three times, and then He prophesied that one day this disciple would be led to a place he doesn’t want to go, predicting Peter’s ultimate death. Jesus then said the two words He uttered when Peter was first called to be a disciple: Follow Me. In reading this passage, I was reminded of earlier words Jesus had taught, “If anyone would come after me, He must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) Following Jesus involves life or death commitment and surrender to His will.
 
4)    Following brings rewards. Let these scriptures speak for themselves:
“Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world.Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.” (John 12:26)
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings – and with Him will be His called, chosen, and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14)
 
When God called each of us to be His children, He said those words to us as well: Follow Me. And when you chose to follow, it was the commitment of a lifetime; a commitment to trust, to emulate and to surrender. It was a commitment that will bring unimaginable reward. Be assured today that wherever God leads you, He is already preparing the way.
 
Where you go, I’ll go
Where you stay, I’ll stay
When you move, I’ll move
I will follow you
Whom you love, I’ll love
How you serve, I’ll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
 
(Words and Music by Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Reuben Morgan. All rights reserved)

Copied from Creative Arts Newsletter, FBC, Columbia, TN