How much we love Him determines how much we trust Him; how much we trust Him determines how well we follow Him.
So, what does that look like? What is “follow” in a tangible way? What does it mean to follow?
The word used in our texts today is: ἀκολουθέω (ak-ol-oo-theh’-o). From ‘a’, inunion with;and ‘keleuthos’, a road. To be in union with each other on the same road. In the first century they used this word as: ‘to walk beside or with on a road, to accompany, to attend with, to follow with.’ Which is why the calling of all the Apostles culminated with Mark 3.14— “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach”The word here for “preach” is where we get ‘evangelize’. So our first calling, immediately after salvation, is to literally,be with Him. How else does one expect to follow Him if we’re not with Him?
Let’s read about it in Matthew 4.18-22— “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.” They were “called”. The disciples were sought out by Jesus to follow. Plain and simple. You should probably take the time to view this same event in Mark 1.16-20, Luke 5.8-11, and in John 1.35-42. It will help get a more fuller picture of what happened.
Look also at Philip’s calling, in particular, in John 1.43— “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.” Matthew’s calling, told by himself is in Matthew 9.9— “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” They were individually and corporately called. Some were brothers together, others were individuals in the middle of their work day. Jesus didn’t seek a convenient time to come by, nor did He wait until they settled their affairs. Why would He wait? He’s the King.
At several intervals, Jesus tried helping them see as a group if they were still willing to follow. He said in Matthew 16.24— “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” This is repeated also in Mark 8.34 and in Luke 9.23. All three say a significant phrase— “deny himself” According to Jesus, this is a requirement. A breaking of pride and self-will; to willingly give in. Makes sense to me… I can’t follow in union with someone, if I want it my way all the time. It just so happens to be the very first lesson He taught His church in Matthew 5.1-3— “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This phrase— “poor in spirit”. Poor is the greek word: ptōxós— (pto-khos). It means to crouch or cower like a beggar. To be bent over, deeply destitute, completely lacking resources— one who is helpless as a beggar. In scripture it examples this in Psalms, Proverbs, and even Jesus with the extreme opposite of the ‘rich’. The beggarly poor. One who slinks and crouches on the street. To be reduced to begging, destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor. To be brought low. Notice poor in “spirit”. This means an attitude of the heart that is destitute of self, completely washed clean of pride. This is a person fully persuaded that there is no reason to be self-exalted or prideful.
This is what’s missing with ‘christian’s’ today and yet it was the start of everything with Jesus then. In fact, this is a very unpopular message today in mainstream churchanity. Do you think it still is the start of everything with Him now? Has He changed His mind? I maintain it’s the basis of what we are in Christ— a spirit of brokenness. To not only say, but live as spiritually destitute without God. Could you make it a Sunday in your routine, or any day for that matter, without God? We acknowledge that, intellectually, and with great intent, but are you consciously aware of His presence and dependent on it? If not, why? Have we become spiritual robots?
Bible Fact: God shakes us out of our norms, our lethargy, and back into a desired position with Him. He positions us, on purpose, to ask certain questions of ourselves: Am I following?; Am I desperate?; Am I desperate enough to fast and pray for it?; Am I willing to cut off any thing that’s holding me back?; Am I willing to alter my life?
That is precisely what the Apostles did, and look at them. I want that. We cannot truly follow Christ until we do this. We cannot be with Him like we should, walking withHim like we should, until we have a spirit of brokenness.
What does it tangibly mean to follow? Hopefully this has given you a first step. Now, what are you going to do with what you’ve learned from this? Do you want to walk with Him? Then this is where it starts.
If you are seeking to be a disciple, then follow Him.