A Genuine Follower
Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave commandment to depart unto the other side. Matthew 8:18
It was difficult for Christ to get alone to spend some quality time with His disciples. Multitudes followed Him everywhere He went. Have you ever wished that multitudes would follow Him today as they did while He was here upon the earth?
- Some followed because no one ever spoke with authority as He did.
- Others followed because of the miracles that He performed.
- There were those who followed because they were fed.
- Then like today, some followed because this is where the action was taking place.
Have you ever done or said something because of the emotional circumstances in which you found yourself or as some say, “in the heat of the moment.” Then later you say to yourself, “Why did I say that, or do that?”
A scribe said to Jesus, I will follow thee whithersoever Thou goest (8:19). He probably was very sincere but his commitment was based on the emotional atmosphere of the moment. Jesus then expressed the fact that there could be some cost, some sacrifice involved. Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests: but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head (8:20). Suddenly, we find no response to Christ’s words. Commitment made based on ignorance will fade quickly away. His words indicated that he was willing to follow Christ both spiritually and publicly. Apparently, the cost was too great!
Another follower said, “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.” Today, we might say, “Lord, suffer me first to go and sell my Rolls-Royce.” In other words, I have other desires first. Then why did he refer to Christ as “Lord.” Perhaps we need to ask ourselves, “Is Jesus truly Lord of our lives?” The ministry of Jesus was current. Jesus would only remain here for three years.
These people and perhaps others were more gazers, more curious-minded or even miracle-loving. Jesus was greatly concerned about those who were needy in heart, sick in soul and broken in spirit, and those who truly wanted their spiritual needs met.
Jesus did not reject their offered devotion, but He did not want anyone committing themselves to Him based on misunderstanding. Perhaps, this is one of the main reasons He wanted to get into the ship, to get away from those whose commitments were more words than actions.
We sing the chorus, “I have decided to follow Jesus,” and the last phrase is “No turning back.”
Perhaps one of their problems was their failure to truly know Christ. However, based on the account would you say that you are a genuine follower or even disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ?
You will remember that Jesus chose the twelve disciples after much prayer. He knew who it was that could endure a rigorous training program and accomplish His agenda after He ascended back into glory. Judas would be the exception, yet the Lord chose him for purposes obvious to us all. Jesus knew what he would do, long before he chose him as a disciple. We would say that it was a three-year training program and all twelve would have been with Him almost constantly during that time. How many of us would have graduated from a program like that?
The Christian life is one of discipleship. We recognize Jesus as our Lord and committing our lives to be His disciples we live daily under His Lordship. There is a recognition of what it is that Jesus Christ has done for us by His cross work at Calvary and His resurrection from the dead. In responding to His grace with humility and thanksgiving, we gladly accept His will for our lives. We believe and put into practice what He taught but also what He modeled and there is a natural desire to be like Him. It is in the process of becoming like Him that we are truly His disciples, being prepared to serve Him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him (John 14:23).
Do you truly love the Lord? How sincere is your commitment to Him? Do your priorities provide evidence of your love? What evidence is there that would reveal to others that you are a true follower of Christ?
George Stiekes is a retired pastor. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.