Following Jesus

When we are asked to describe our Christian life in a few words, how do we respond? I simply say: following Jesus. Because this is the fundamental nature of Christian life.

Jesus spoke these simple words throughout the Gospels, both to the people in the crowds and to the men that became His disciples (Peter and Andrew, James and John, Matthew, Philip).

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you) fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
-- Matthew 4:18-22, NLT

Peter and Andrew, James and John were working in the family business when Jesus walked by and proclaimed, “Follow me.” They had a choice to make, one that required a choice within seconds, and one that would decide their eternal destiny. And it wasn’t an easy decision, either. Jesus approached them at the family business and had them make a public declaration of their intentions.

Matthew’s calling wasn’t much easier.

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
-- Matthew 9:9, NLT

Here he was, minding his own business (literally) in his tax office, making good money (as ancient tax collectors did), when this guy proclaiming to be the Messiah walks by and speaks these two words: follow me.

And Matthew got up, walked away from everything familiar, and followed Jesus.

Philip wasn’t doing anything particularly spiritual or religious when Jesus caught up to him and offered a new life.

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."
-- John 1:43, NLT

Philip immediately followed Jesus, and sought out Nathanael to let him know the long-awaited Messiah had come.

Following The Lord

If we decide to respond as His disciples did, we discover that there are two essential preconditions Jesus requires.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24, NLT).

We must deny ourselves, and we must take up our cross. Then we follow Him.

And it is rough to say “No” to many of the things in life. Look at Peter, Andrew, James and John… they were at work (i.e. doing something good and productive) when called to deny themselves, give up business, and become fishers of men. In my mind, it is easy to rationalize Jesus calling me to give up the “bad” stuff of life. It is much more challenging to heed His call to give up the “good” stuff and follow Him.