Follow the Leader
by Pastor Bill Pevlor

     Do you remember playing follow-the-leader? We think of follow-the-leader as a cute child’s game, but we’re still playing today. Without exception, all of us are followers. Even those who are considered leaders in our society are following someone else. An important question to ask yourself is “Who am I following?”

     God’s Word, the Holy Bible, has much to say about following and about whom we should follow. The New Testament term “to follow” is translated from the Greek word “akoloutheo.” This word is used 77 times in the Gospels. All but one are used in relation to “following” Jesus

     Jesus, himself, placed a high priority on following Him when He said “anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38) Jesus’ disciples went everywhere He went. They were with Him morning, noon and night. They listened intently to what Jesus said and closely observed every movement and action.

     To “follow” generally means to go the same way as someone or something before you. The meaning “akoloutheo” has a distinct variance; meaning to imitate or follow someone’s example. That sheds an exciting new light on following Jesus. Following Jesus is not merely trailing behind Him, it is imitating Him; following His example.

     In the span of Jesus’ ministry many people followed Him. At times, so many crowded around Him, He had to speak to them from a boat a short distance from shore to keep the mob from crushing Him. Yet, even though multitudes followed Him (or shall we say trailed behind Him) there were very few who “imitated” Him or followed His example.

     Many pledged to follow Him, but found the price too costly. You’ve, no doubt, heard of the rich young ruler. This young “Donald Trump” of his day asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus told Him to follow the ten commandments. The young ruler said he’d done all those things. According to Mark 10:21, Jesus looked at him, had compassion on him and said “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

     Please understand, Jesus didn’t have a problem with people being wealthy. He wasn’t setting a precedent that would mandate everyone liquidating all assets if they want to follow Him. Jesus knew the rich young ruler’s heart. The young man’s desire was to be right with God. However, he valued his wealth and material possessions (and the status that came with them) to such an extent that it seriously hindered him following God. The rich young ruler was following his great wealth. Others, instead of closely following Jesus, are following their careers, unwholesome entertainment choices, drugs or alcohol, relationships, etc. The things we follow more closely than Jesus are as varied as our individual personalities.

     Long before the young man came to Jesus he had made a decision to follow his wealth more than God. Yet, it seems, by his questions to Jesus he was not aware of his predicament. Jesus cut through all of the “religious” exterior and went straight to the man’s heart. When Jesus brought his “heart condition” to the forefront the man’s face fell and he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark 10:22)

     Being a follower of Jesus means imitating and identifying with Him in every area of life. Following Jesus is not a short-term event but a life-long endeavor. It necessitates a great commitment to press forward; not returning to the things we followed before. For the disciples, following Jesus included accepting the daily risk of losing their lives. Today, in some areas of the world, you can still lose your life for following Jesus.

     Following Jesus means giving Him total control over our lives. Jesus described the lifestyle of his followers in John 12:25-26: “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

     Ask yourself again, “whom am I following?” If the answer is not a clear, resounding “JESUS!” now is the time to change course. That well-worn church camp song is a great statement of faith and commitment for followers of Jesus - “I have decided to follow Jesus...no turning back, no turning back.”

Back for more Good News

Victorious Faith Ministries
219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201 
Phone:  920-487-5775

©2000 Victorious Faith Ministries