"Follow Me"

Introduction

Pursuing Jesus
“Follow me.” These are some of Jesus’ first words after his baptism and temptation, as recorded by the Gospel writer Mark (Mark 1:17).

When Jesus spoke these words to Peter and Andrew, they faced a decision. The instruction “Follow me” didn’t allow for any middle ground: they could follow or remain where they were. Today we have Scripture to refer to and can see how the decision to follow Jesus will ultimately work out. We have compelling historical accounts of Jesus’ miracles. And, of course, we know that Jesus was brutally tortured and killed for our sakes and that he returned to life. Andrew and Peter knew none of this, but still they decided to follow Jesus. These guys were about to find out that Jesus was on a mission, and it was going to cost them.

Today, it still costs us when we decide to obey Jesus’ instruction to “Follow me.” Yet, we should also find great comfort in these words. As Peter and Andrew were going to discover, Jesus was not going to expect his followers to do something He wasn’t prepared to do first. Unlike Peter and Andrew on the shores of Galilee, we enjoy the benefit of knowing what Jesus has already done for us when we hear his call to follow him. He has shown us the example and prepared the way for us.

So, where did Jesus go and what did he do that we also will have to do if we follow him? Some of the steps are tougher than others. But, by understanding that Jesus experienced the same things we face, let us pray that we may glorify him every time we have to make the choice to obey his words “Follow me.”

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