FOLLOW ME

The command from Jesus to each of His Disciples had been a very plain and simple: “FOLLOW ME”. This is not a request but an order given in it’s most explicit terms with such distinctively divine authority that those to whom it was given found no reason to question it. This was Jesus speaking; He who is Lord and He who is God. At the beginning of his preaching of the Gospel; Jesus saw Simon Peter and his brother Andrew fishing and He gave them on simple command: “FOLLOW ME” and I will make you fishers of men. Fishing was their trade, hence their livelihood. So to leave catching real fish, to become fishers of men would not make much sense as one tries reasoning out this command. Defying conventional wisdom; they abandoned their nets and followed Him. Understanding the whole nature of this command, another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father, but Jesus said unto him, “FOLLOW ME” and let the dead bury their dead (Matthew 8:21-22). When Jesus saw Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom, He simply said unto him: “FOLLOW ME”. Without any objection or question, Matthew got up and followed him (Matthew 9:9). We cannot forget how Peter rebuked Jesus when Jesus showed them the things which He would suffer at the hands of the Elders, Scribes and chief Priests in Jerusalem; and how in response, Christ rebuked Peter and then commanded His Disciples saying: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and FOLLOW ME” (Matthew 16:24). The rich young ruler who asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life was very much surprised, when: Jesus looking at him, loved him, and said unto him: “One thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and FOLLOW ME”. When the young man heard the command, he was grieved and went away, for he had great possessions (Mark 10: 17-22). When Jesus went into Galilee and found Phillip, He simply said unto him: “FOLLOW ME”. Like all the others Phillip promptly obeyed. (John 1:43). Except for the rich young ruler; all those to whom the command was given were quick to obey; not because they were offered some lucrative reward or some other irresistible promise; but because they were made willing. As lost sheep now quickened by the Spirit of God, they heard the voice of the Shepherd and obeyed.  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10: 27).

As it came near to the day of his crucifixion Jesus would warn his disciples; of the price that must be paid by those who would follow him: “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  If 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: 25 - 26). After His resurrection we again see Jesus placing much emphasis on this command as He spoke to Peter; signifying by what death he should glorify God. When He had so spoken; He said unto him: “FOLLOW ME”. Then Peter, turning around (looking back), saw the disciple whom Jesus loved and who also leaned on Jesus breast at supper; following. Seeing him following; Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, and what shall this man do”? Jesus said unto him, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? FOLLOW THOU ME” (John 21:15-22). Christ was actually saying to Peter: keep your focus on me and stop looking back; because: no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God (Luke 9: 62); just follow me. These are fascinating words from the lips of Him who never employed them without giving them the power of resistless efficacy in the hearts of those to whom they are spoken. He said, “FOLLOW ME”; and the same divine and almighty power accompanied His words to convert those to whom the command is given. Immediately a saving change is effected in their souls by Christ who is the author of this great change; using His Word as the means to effect such change. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation. The call to “FOLLOW ME” is an effectual one that all obeyed and came by that power unto Salvation. At His call, they followed Him immediately without ever denying His authority or seeking any deferment of their obedience to His authority. The power of divine grace answers and overcomes all objections in them, before they even arise in their hearts. Nothing can detain those who have received this call from Christ. Those to whom the call was made conferred not with flesh and blood, but instead gave up all, and without looking back followed Him. This command from our Lord, calls us to emulate our Savior, to do as He does, to speak as He spoke, to walk as He walked, to teach as He taught, to preach as He preached, to forgive as He forgave, to be compassionate as He is compassionate, to love as He loved and most of all to live as He lived; to be like Him. All Believers are Subjects of this Divine Call; called to take up this burden called The Cross, to be an example for others to follow; just as Christ is our example and as we follow Him. Christians must be ever mindful of this one fact: We are not on this journey alone; even as Christ command’s us to follow Him we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us, lead us and bring to remembrance all things that God by his Word has taught us that we may know the way to go. God will never send His children anywhere, where Christ has not gone before. He is forever leading the way and so He commands us: “FOLLOW ME”. Obey His call today and let Him be your guide, surrendering all to Him. As He leads the way He has you covered from back to front and all around. Having given up all, never look back; because no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God. Just keep your eyes on Jesus and do as he has said: “FOLLOW ME”. Love you with the Love of the Lord.

W. Bennett