Follow Me

I love reading the synoptic Gospels to learn more about Jesus life on earth and his ways, how he dealt with the people, and how they reacted to his teaching. This time as I started reading the gospel of Matthew once more, the words of Jesus “follow me” to the few he was calling clicked strangely in my spirit. So I decided to pay attention to the people's reaction after hearing these words “follow me” from Jesus. The rendering of these special and blessed moments as the Master was inviting people to participate with him in his ministry was so interesting to follow that I decided to compare the similar passages in the other gospels to see how they were presented by the writers. What I found as I was going through the gospels and what Father was teaching me was very enlightening that I want to share them with you.

The Word of God tells us that the personal invitation from Jesus “follow me” was made to the rich young man, a teacher of the law and probably many others. But from the twelve who accepted, who were called and chosen, we know that eleven were vessels of honor and fulfilled their callings and one didn't (Matthew 8:18, 22; Matthew 24:14; 19:16-22; John 10:27). As I was reading I noticed that emphasis was given to the call of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, Matthew or Levi, and John and his brother James. In Matthew 4:19 we read the following words: “Come, follow, me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” The bible indentifies what their reaction was, “At once they left their nets and followed him.” In verse 21 we also see that as Jesus called James and John, “Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Mark 1:17 narrates the same invitation of Jesus to Simon Peter and Andrew in the following similar words, “Come, follow, me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” In Matthew 9:9 and Mark 2:13 we read “Follow me, he told him, and Matthew (or Levi) got up and followed him. But I read a few more words of Jesus to Simon in Luke narration. Luke 5:10 presents it this way, then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:27-28 reads “Follow me, Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” We can see that Jesus warned Peter not to be afraid. He is saying the same words “Do not be afraid” to us today also. We also see that Simon Peter, Andrew and Matthew left everything to follow Jesus.

What was interesting to see and what Jesus taught me was that the chosen ones didn't hesitate to leave everything behind and follow the Master immediately. I also saw that Jesus told them what to expect and what to do. First, Jesus gave them authority over diseases, evil spirits and spiritually dead people. They were to warn them to repent from their wicked ways and to follow the new kingdom authority being established on earth (Matthew 10: 7, 8). Second, he told them that when they get in trouble, the Father who is always with them in trouble will speak through them, tell them what to say and how to say it (Matthew 10:19; Psalm 91:15). Third, he warned them not to be afraid of men who can kill the body but not the soul (Matthew 10:28). And fourth, he commanded the disciples to teach all to observe all that he commands (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus also warned of the rewards that the disciples and all future followers will receive. To the question of Peter as to what they should expect or will gain because they have left all to follow him, Jesus replied: “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone --that's you and me-- Hallelujah! who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” This same statement of Jesus in Luke reads that “No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields –and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come eternal life (Matthew 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30). You can see that we will be blessed in this present age, but we will also be persecuted while we are waiting for total wholeness and the renewal of all things.

Have you thought about following Jesus, living everything behind and doing all he said to do, or do you reject his words? (Luke 10:27) Do you have excuses like the invited guests who refused to attend the wedding banquet of the King's Son? (Matthew 22:1-14) The disciples only had the Old Testament and the spoken words of Jesus. See how the Holy Spirit Father works with and through them reminding them of what Jesus has said in order to advance the Father's kingdom on this earth. Remember that Father said that people who do not believe in what he says or does are not his sheep. He says that it is good for a student to be like the teacher, and that his sheep listen to his voice, know him and follow him (Matthew 10:24-25; John 8:47; John 10:27).

Jesus also speaks about the cost of following him (Luke 9:57-62). He expects us to first, deny self and stand against the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Second, to carry our cross, that represents the pettiness and challenges that this life throws at us from all ends, and at last to follow him (Mathew 16:24). The disciples followed Jesus except the one doomed for perdition (John 17:12). Paul who was a persecutor of the newly established church followed Jesus? Many people around the world who are led by the Spirit of the living God are following Jesus. Are you following Jesus? Don't settle! He is still telling us in this age and our time to move with his Spirit and follow him.

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus 1 Jan '10