For two thousand years the path to being Jesus’ disciple has remained pretty much the same. He says, “Follow me,” and we respond by following Him. A simple formula, yet one that carries with it some serious considerations. For instance, Jesus thinks that before following Him we should know that He’s not particularly looking for a comfortable existence in this world (Matthew 8:19-20) and that now is the time to get up and follow as opposed to later (Luke 9:59-62). He also says that our commitment to Him must be so exclusive that we appear to hate everyone else by comparison (Luke 14:26). Not only this, but we must be willing to give up everything (Luke 14:33) up to, and possibly including our very lives (Mark 8:34-35)! Definitely some things to think about before sticking little fish on our bumpers (Luke 14:28-33).
Contrast this biblical Jesus with today’s new and improved “Jesus” who follows US around; like a kind of personal assistant to help us cultivate better marriages, get our kids to listen, find new careers, get better grades in school, replace our old clunker cars, and make sure that Sunday services are up to our discriminating standards. He’s even there to absolve us as we persist in sinful lifestyles. Now, in all fairness, this needs to be tempered with a little grace; Jesus knows that we need things (Matthew 6:31-32). He genuinely and lovingly cares about our lives (1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7) and He’s not going to kick us when we’re down (Mathew 12:20). He is always faithful to forgive our sins (1 John 1:9). But we need to remember; through His death He purchased for us freedom from the power of sin, not a license to sin (Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 2:16, Jude 1:4).
So, to be Jesus’ disciple we must undergo a change in our orientation. It is no longer our own interests we are seeking after, but His (Ephesians 5:8-10). We become increasingly aware that our lives are not our own (Romans 14:8, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We realize that He is the King and we are His subjects. He is the Master, we are His servants. He is the Lord and we bend our knee (Philippians 2:9-11). It becomes evident that He alone has the words of life and that there is nowhere else to go beside Him (John 6:67-69).
It’s not as if we need to be champions to be Jesus’ disciples, however. Jesus leads a rag-tag group made up of everyday, common people (i.e. sinners). Not many of us have been voted “most likely to succeed” by the world’s standards (1 Corinthians 1:26-27). The difference is that those of us who follow Him recognize who He is and understand who we are in relationship to Him. We hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27). It is in this that we are able to fully surrender to Him, because we know that in Him is life (Matthew 16:25, John 11:25).
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them and they with Me.” –Jesus (Rev. 3:20)
