Follow the Leader

Have you ever played a game called, "Follow the leader" as a kid? 

 

In Christianity, we talk a lot about this "following Jesus." Or walking with God.

In order to fully understand what that phrase means for us we must look at the original context. Who was Jesus talking to? What would people think when they heard that phrase?


One of the examples of this is found in Mark Chapter 1:

"Jesus saw two brothers fishing with their father for they fished for a living. He called out to them, 'Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.' At once they left their nets (and their father) and followed Jesus."


Jesus was doing something radical. He was calling fishermen to follow Him. But why couldn't fishermen follow Jesus.

Well, Jesus was Jewish. And He was/is a Rabbi. (Teacher).


In the First Century, Jewish boys desired more than anything in the world to be a Rabbi but in order to be a Rabbi they had to work under a Rabbi for many years. But this was no easy task.

You couldn't go to college or seminary. No, this process began in childhood. The child needed to memorize the Torah (first five books of the bible) by age 12. If he (yes only males were included) could not memorize the Torah he would stop his education and learn his father's trade. (Fishing, carpentry, shepherding, etc).

But if he memorized the books he would continued his education. Learning most of the Old Testament and oral tradition of the Jewish Religion. Around the age of 16, If they passed on their test they would would hope that a Rabbi would pick him to follow that Rabbi.

If no Rabbi picked them(which happened often) they would have wasted the their time (many years) and be shipped off to learn their families business. But If they were chosen. They would spend years following their Rabbi (their teacher). They would learn what it meant to be a follower of God, a holy man, by following him. And then, one day they themselves would become a Rabbi.


So why am I boring you with this history lesson? (Much simplified)

I told you all this to remind you what Jesus did was radical. He bypassed the whole system. He chose the rejects. He chose teenagers to follow Him. And more than that: He chose unschooled, rednecks.

We applaud the disciples because they made a great choice. But honestly did they even have a choice? A Rabbi wanted them! He told them to follow Him and they did because why wouldn't they?

So, when we look at the words of Jesus to us: "Come, follow me!"

He isn't asking, He is telling. He is commanding. He is instructing. He is more than inviting. He is declaring what will happen.

He is saying You can do it! I chose you! I want you! Follow me! I will be your Rabbi and you will be my grasshopper.

I know, this fights against everything we are taught in American Christianity. We are taught that we need to a choose to follow God and I'm not saying there is no choices.

We have the choice if we are going to daily surrender to God.
We have the choice if we are going to love others.
We have the choice how deeply we engage God and encounter His presence towards us.


Bottom Line

It's important that we believe in Jesus but it's more important that He believes in us.


A few reflection questions to consider:

1) How does it make you feel that God chose you? 

2) In response to his love, what actions does He call you to?

Lost and Found

Last week I wrote about "Finding God!"

Remember He hides in such a way that we can find Him. Its like a loving Father playing hide and go seek with his toddler son. Does He try to win? Of course not! He hides in plain site so as long as we are looking we will find Him!

This week I wanted to talk about How God finds us!

In America Christianity we talk about "Finding Jesus." As if He was the One that was lost. But the truth is we were the one lost the whole time. The Bible is full of stories and methapors depiting us as lost/dead/hopeless without the saving grace of God.


Yet He runs after us  and saves us!

Jesus told many stories (3 really good ones are in Luke 15). They are about Lost things being found.

First a Sheep.
Then a Coin.
And Finally a Son.


But why would a shepherd care if he lost 1 sheep, he has 99 more?
Why would a woman care if she lost 1 coin, she had 10 more?
Why would a father care if he lost his rebellious son, he had 1 more trustworthy son.

These people that lost things cared because they had value.

These were stories so we must consider.... what is Jesus trying to teach us?


His main point, I believe, is He came to seek and save that which was lost.

Who? Us. Humans. Me. You. John Cena. Joe Flacco. Even Mike Fisher.


He looks at us and says, "You are valuable. You are worth dying for" Yes. YOU!"

Yet we look at our lives and think, "We are dirty, we are sinful, we are imperfect and unholy."

And declare, "Im not worthy to die for, I'm not worthy of God's love."


And if you are struggling with this idea of feeling God's love and being unworthy you are not alone. And there are no words that can cognivitely make you believe God loves you.

You must have an encounter with the ONE TRUE GOD.

But I will say one thing that has helped me along in my journey with God.

We only search for things that have value.

Would you search for a quarter? Probably not!
But would you search for a 100 dollar bill that you knew you lost? ya.


No matter what you have done or has been done to you, You are worthy of love. Not because I said so but because God literally died to prove it to you!

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I pray for those reading this blog today that they will know that they are loved without a shadow of doubt. I pray that they will encounter Your true love in a tangible way and nothing on earth can steal their joy. Amen.