Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them…. When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:19-22 NIV
Jesus is looking for followers, for relationships that are personal, one on one. It is his desire that we block out all else and focus only on our relationship with him. After the resurrection, in his last recorded conversation with Peter, Jesus asks Peter to follow him. At that moment, Peter turns his focus away from Jesus and on to John. Jesus then reminds him, “Follow me.” What is he saying here? Do not worry about my relationship with others, stay on the path I have you on to follow me!
Anything that our Lord repeats over and over is of great significance.
When he firsts meets Peter and Andrew he says: “Come follow me; and I will make you fishers of men” Matt 4:19 NIV
Following Jesus is life changing. Look what these words did for Peter! It is also a requirement, for we who seek his salvation.
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me” Matt 16:24 NIV
Do we see the theme here? We must follow in the footsteps of Jesus, in order to have the relationship we truly need with him.
Follow is defined: 1) to go after someone to observe or monitor: 2) to strive after; aim at.
Both of which we do when we seek to maintain our relationship with Christ Jesus.
It is written:
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he 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 NIV
Jesus is the light of the world, we must follow him to avoid a very dark path!
Barnabas
Special thanks for this submission by guest blogger – Barnabas