Follow Me

“And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."” (Matthew 4:19 ESV). This command was given as an invitation to those men Jesus was calling to be his disciples. Apparently each one called decided to follow as there is no indication otherwise, and to those who follow and leave their current lifestyle, he promises to train to become fishers of men. Since this was a call to those to become his disciples, how might thus apply to us?

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us, as believers, to go and make disciples. Each believer is therefore considered to be a disciple of his. As we follow Jesus our task is to call others, but only a few of them are actually chosen to follow: “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14 ESV). As followers of Jesus, our job is to invite or to call, but only those who are lost sheep, will the Father choose to become disciples. The more people we call the more lost sheep we will find. Remember, of those called only a few are chosen, so we must not be discouraged.

It is important to point out that evidence of being chosen is that we will begin bearing fruit, “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:20 ESV). Those who are chosen receive the Holy Spirit and thus should display the fruit of the Spirit of “. . . love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; . . .” (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). A central piece of being chosen that is increasingly being ignored today I that we are by faith to be crucified with Christ, for “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 ESV). As Jesus lives his life in me we will take on a new lifestyle and bear fruit to his glory. So, how are we doing in following Jesus?

Prayer

Father, as I think about a prayer in relation to this command to follow Jesus, I realize how far off the mark we are today. Our following involved little lifestyle change and little desire to commit to kingdom work. Following Jesus today appears more and more like being of the world, not being in the world as a representative of God, with the attitude that I have a free pass to heaven. Following Jesus is not being what I want to be, it is becoming more and more like Jesus Christ.