Do You remember the classic children’s game “Follow the Leader”?  One person, the “leader,” performs actions or movements, and the other players, the “followers,” must copy them exactly. The goal of the followers is to accurately mimic the leader’s movements which might include various locomotor skills (walking, running, jumping, etc). It might even include obstacle courses. It can be used as a tool to teach following instructions. 

     Well, when Jesus selected His disciples, He gave them a very simple instruction: “Follow Me” (Mt. 8:22; 9:9; Mk. 2:14; Lk. 9:59; Jn. 1:43). He promised that if they would follow Him, He would make them “fishers of men” (Mt. 4:19). Sounds pretty easy–just follow Jesus. But, what all does that involve? Just what does it mean to follow Jesus? 

     It means to embrace His teaching. As a “Jesus follower” we are to believe His words and instructions and make them the standard operating manual for our lives–our final authority for faith (what we believe) and practice (how we  behave). Obviously that means spending time in His Word on a regular basis, meditating upon it and memorizing key passages that will help us to stay “on track” as we follow Jesus. 

     It means to align with His example.  Our main concern as we make decisions and choices should be, “What would Jesus do?” and then, in His strength doing it.  Again, this means “letting the word of Christ richly dwell within us” (Col. 3:16) so that we know what a biblical response is to each situation and circumstance. Peter wrote: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’ ” (I Pet. 1:14-16 cf Lev. 11:44). We are to be like our Savior in all aspects of our life,  demonstrating Christ-like attitudes and actions (Phil. 2:3-5). We should be following Christ so that any who follow our example will be following Him as well. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (I Cor. 11:1). “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (Phil. 3:17). There will always be people looking to us as an example. Are we pointing them to Christ or away from Him?  Pretty challenging to think about!

     Following Jesus means making Him THE priority in our life. As the “head of the body, the church,” He is “to have first place in everything” (Col. 1:18). We tend to compartmentalize our lives and give Jesus His compartment, but He is to be Lord of all aspects of our life. That means dying to selfish ambitions and worldly influences and surrendering all to Him. It means total commitment, not token commitment.

     Following Jesus means living with a radical abandonment, allowing Him to transform you.  That involves “not being conformed to this world,” but being “transformed by the renewing of our minds” through His Word and the control of the Holy Spirit within (Ro. 12:2). It means living a life of joyful dependence on His grace. 

     B.B. Mckinney captured the meaning of following Jesus in his hymn “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go.”

          “Take up thy cross and follow Me,” I heard my Master say,

          “I gave My life to ransom thee–Surrender yours all to day.”

          He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know;

          And in that will I now abide–Wherever He leads I’ll go.

          It may be thru the shadows dim or o’er the stormy sea;

          I take my cross and follow Him–Wherever He leadeth me.

          My heart, my life, my all I bring to Christ who loves me so;

          He is my Master, Lord, and King–Wherever He leads I’ll go.

          Chorus: Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go; 

                        I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so–Wherever He leads I’ll go.

     Are you a Jesus follower?

Forever His (Follower),

Pastor Dave N