Following HIM

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 NIV

The key to a strong Christian walk is following Jesus.  He says, “Follow me”  many times throughout the Bible.  When repeated more than once, the Lord is emphasizing the importance of what was just said.

Follow: to go or come after; move or travel behind,  to go after (someone) to observe or monitor

These are action terms, and Jesus does call us into action daily. Does he not? How else can we emulate him, if we don’t observe and monitor HIM?

It is also written:

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9 NIV

He reminds us all, just how important our walk with him is when he answered the young man in Matthew 19.

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21 NIV

In order for us to have all that our Lord and God desires for us , we must set aside ourselves and “Follow him.”  Once it comes from his lips, it is truly Gospel!  In order that we become a new creation in him, we simply must “Follow him.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.Matthew 16:24-25  NIV

Our Lord made clear to his disciples, while he was still here on earth, that they must follow him. He reminded all of those who saw him after his resurrection as well.

Jesus says to Peter:

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:18-19 NIV

Jesus reminds Peter, before his ascension, to continue to follow him. Like many of us, Peter took his focus off of Jesus for a moment:

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 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 21:20-22 NIV

Our Lord preached this while he was among us, he reminded his disciples after his crucifixion/resurrection, and he still reminds us today through his word.

To follow him, is to show our love for him. Our Heavenly Father will honor all of us who love his son.

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 NIV

Jesus loves us enough to remind us of the gift he offers to those who commit to follow and to serve. 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

Remember we are here in his service, and to Love one another.

Barnabas

 

Special thanks for this guest submission by Barnabas.