The Strength of Following Jesus

Oct 23

2 min read

By Pastor Steve Pierce

Are you a good follower? I ask this simple question because that is who Jesus is looking for. Followers. “And Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.”” (Mark 1:17)

Not everyone can do what the Apostles did, drop everything and follow. There was a rich young ruler who could have followed but chose not to. There were people who said they wanted to follow Jesus, and, in the end, the sacrifice was too great. Following others has a cost, there are consequences and sacrifice.

Being a follower can also have risks. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21) Followers aren’t exempt from the suffering and persecution their leader faces. If you are following someone who is suffering for their cause, you can expect to suffer as well.

Jesus isn’t a fad or a person who will lie to you. He is the Son of God, radiant in the Glory of a Risen Savior and he is willing to call you a brother or sister “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) You have a choice to make. Following is not weakness, making a choice to follow narrow path that leads to the light takes strength and determination and is based on faith.

When you make a choice to follow Jesus, you are following a King. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Heb 1:3) Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation” (Col 1:15) Jesus “came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Following Jesus will be hard, at times, because the world has made a choice to follow something else. But to follow in the steps of love, sacrifice, obedience, honesty, compassion, grace, joy, eternal, leads to ultimate joy. Leads to Jesus. He is calling you, like he called fishermen in their boats two thousand years ago. Make the right choice. To be a follower is a sign of strength, when you follow Jesus.