A Call to Surrender and Impact
Jesus Said: Follow Me
Twenty-one times in the New Testament Jesus says "follow me" or some version of this as He declared what was expected of those who answered the call to be a disciple.
I am currently reading a book about why many people are leaving the churches they attend but at the same time they are not giving up on Jesus. Many of the testimonies are about the contrast between the Jesus they read about in the bible and the Jesus they hear about (or don't hear about) in church. According to this book people are not interested in a political Jesus, or an anemic Jesus who doesn't show up or do anything to help the poor and marginalized in society.
When Jesus called people to be his followers He did not make it easy. The call was a simple one: "Follow me." There were no promises of health and wealth being outcomes for faithful followers. There was no promise of freedom from suffering. In fact, the call to be a follower was a call to suffer and to the will of Jesus in all things. People like James, John and Matthew were required to give up their jobs and live without regular incomes. To another wealthy man Jesus suggested he sell all that he had and give it to the poor. He also declared that his followers must be ready to take up their cross daily which likely referred to the fact that Jesus followers are not immune to suffering but they need to focus on him regardless of the circumstances. As Jesus followers learn from him they give up their own opinions and adopt what He says as the only opinion that counts. For Jesus followers there is no place for self-righteousness or personal agendas.
Maybe we need to change our evangelistic strategies and start calling people to Jesus who is the leader of an unstoppable cause. People need to know that the journey will not be easy. They need to know that following Jesus is more than being forgiven and hanging on until they die and go to heaven. They need to know they can join a movement that will actually make the world a better place now.
