“Follow Me”

In John 10, Jesus taught of sheep and shepherds: “the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them…the sheep follow him because they know his voice” (Jn. 10:3,4). His sheep hear His voice and they follow Him. He further explained, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn. 10:27). He calls, He leads. The sheep know Him and follow Him. That’s pretty simply, but following Jesus is the very definition of being His disciple.

Following Jesus is the very definition of being His disciple. From the start of the gospel, when “He found Philip. Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me’” (Jn. 1:43). To Peter and Andrew, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19). To Matthew in the tax office, “and He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him” (Luke 5:28).

Some wanted to follow only after they finished other business first (Luke 9:57-62). They wanted to set the conditions by which they’d follow. And some, like the rich young ruler, refused to follow at all. He was told, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22), but he loved His possessions more. 

But still Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

The message is still the same. We still have to follow Him.