The two words that sum up the gospel and our purpose on the Earth
Jesus’ command to the disciples and many others was simple: Follow me. Let us see how the gospel writers witnessed and described this call uttered, and their response to it. For each reference we give a short explanation before discussing the topic in more detail.
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. – Matthew 4:19
He promised them something, that He would make them fishermen of people. They understood the concept of fishing to meet their daily needs. Now He calls them to go for something much bigger, which would have eternal benefits.
59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. – Luke 9:59
22But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. – Matthew 8:29
Jesus knows what responsibilities people have, but the test is to see if they will understand that the call that He makes surpasses their traditions and responsibilities, despite how hard it may seem. The call to follow Jesus requires from us that we put aside traditions, even when it seems important to maintain them.
21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. – Matthew 19:21
To be perfectly acceptable to Jesus, you will have to dispose of what you have, but in a useful manner. Then you follow Him knowing that your future has been provided for. Jesus meant this to test the rich young man to see if his focus was on his attainment of temporary wealth on the Earth, or if he would relinquish it for an eternal reward in heaven.
14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. – Mark 2:14
Jesus calls a learned man with great responsibilities. He senses the life-changing nature of the call and simply gets up, leaves his job, and follows Messiah. The rich young man Matthew mentions is in stark contrast to Levi, who instantly recognised that this call was a turning point in his life. He obeyed without question. Of course, the gospel writer does not mention his own calling, whereas Mark does. A tax collector was a hated person as they collected taxes on behalf of the Roman Government and earned commission on the income. They were known as thieves as they often took much more than they should have, and there was no way of pinning them down. Jesus does not care about your past when He calls you. He sees the future potential where others see the current and past failures and wrongdoings.
23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. – Luke 9:23
He repeats His call, but this time to all the disciples at the same time, requiring them to let go of their own desires for their lives, accept what life throws at them, and follow Him.
43The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. – John 1:43
Jesus called individuals that He handpicked. This was no random selection.
26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. – John 12:26
There is a condition. If I claim that I serve Him, I must also follow Him. The reward is that the Father will honour this person. Do you feel that the Father honours you?
21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. – John 21:21-22
Following Jesus is not dependent on what others do. We are called individually. Too many of us are looking at what others do, as an excuse to not do what we are called for.
Do you think you are following Jesus, but your heart is really in this world and what it offers? Remember Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:32). If you have decided to follow Jesus, then there is no turning back, and no looking back. Are you worried that following Him will result in failure? Think about it – on the way He leads you, He has already put His own feet (Mark 10:32); the future you are unsure of, He has already seen (Mark 10:33-34); and the storm you think you will be in, He is with you (Mark 4:37). Your calling to follow Him is not accompanied by rules (how to follow Him) and expectations (what you can expect as the result of following Him). It only requires trust in the unknown, and this can be very difficult to fathom. In our very organised world contracts are the order of the day, to be followed to the letter, and to be used to argue your case, should you feel you have been done in, in some way or another. Jesus does not offer a contract to be signed.
Conclusion
Take some time to evaluate your life and where you are heading to, not by the standards of others, even your closest friends. Look at the Word of God as your reference. When Jesus called you to follow Him, He had in mind that it would be the adventure of your life. He did not bother with your past, for example Matthew, the tax collector, despised as a cheat. He did not bother with how much you already knew, for example Paul, a well-qualified student of the Jewish Law and a persecutor of Jesus Himself. He sees in you not what you are now, but what you will be. Consider how you are following Him. Do you know His voice? It may not be easy to give up everything to be obedient and follow Him, but just look at the reward:
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. – John 10:27-28
This is the second article titled "Follow Me". The first can be found here.