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“And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19 ESV
Growing up, did you ever play the game “follow the leader?” This simple game consists of one person serving as the leader and everyone else as the followers. All those contributing must carefully follow the leader’s actions, for failure to do so would result in being out of the game.
The journey of following Jesus is much like this game! Over 15 times in the New Testament, we see Jesus lead with the statement, “follow me.” For example, in Luke 9:23, Jesus challenges the people to deny themselves, take up their cross (prepare to sacrifice) and follow Him. Next, in Mark’s gospel (Mark 2:14), Jesus walks up to a tax collector named Levi and proclaims the call to follow Him. Levi (also known as Matthew) accepted Jesus’ invitation and later became a great evangelist and disciple-maker. Finally, in Luke 18:22, we find Jesus instructing a rich young ruler on how he could inherit eternal life. Essentially, Jesus called him to surrender his grip on his stuff so he could fully embrace following his Savior. Sadly, when it came down to it, the young man loved his stuff more than He did Christ.
Perhaps today, you are like the rich young ruler, curious about the things of eternity and what it looks like to follow Jesus practically. In John 10:27, Jesus declares, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” If you put yourself in that young man’s sandals, what might Jesus ask you to surrender in following Him? Is anyone or anything in your life hindering you from going all the way in? I’m praying that you would hear His voice clearly and not just hear Him but lovingly follow Him wherever, whenever, and in whatever He calls you to do.
“It never cost a disciple anything to follow Jesus; to talk about cost when you are in love with anyone is an insult.” – Oswald Chambers
Lord, I pray that I will hear Your voice all the more clearly today. Speak to me through Your soft, still whisper and guide me in the right direction. Increase my faith to follow You in all things. Humble me when I get prideful and soften me when my heart gets hard. Help me not to swerve to the right or the left, and please help me keep my foot away from evil. I love You, Lord, and it’s my ambition and joy to follow You all my days. I pray You would use me to bring others along with me. In Jesus’ name, amen!
