In recent years we are hearing Christians describe themselves as “followers of Jesus,” instead of disciples of Christ. On the surface, the two phrases or descriptors are meant to mean the same thing. I must admit, while I use disciple more often than not, I do like and appreciate the simplicity and modern clarity of “I am a follower of Jesus (Christ).” Now comes the question, what does that mean to follow Jesus?
When one looks at the Scriptures and especially the Gospels, there is a picture that comes to light of different kinds of “followers.” What may come as a shock to some is that all “followers” are not created equal. Some were genuine while a great many others were not. Hmmm… this could mean some who “believed” in Him were not true believers or followers!
John 2:23-25 (ESV) 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
This a shocking passage. Jesus had just inaugurated His ministry at the Cana wedding feast (John 2:1-11). Then, while in Jerusalem during the Passover, threw out the money changers (2:13-17). Was consequently, questioned by the Jewish leaders concerning His authority and wanting a sign of confirmation and because of His authoritative teaching and Messianic confirming miracles find He has a group of followers. They believed in His name because of the miracles (vs.23). Their faith was a faith in a healer, not a sin saving Savior and Jesus knew it (vv.24-25). But it is still fair to say they were followers. But their faith was of a narcissistic, self-gratifying type. Not much, if any difference, from those who follow the latest faith-healing, prosperity-gospel, word-of-faith movement around. They are in it for one reason; their own personal gratification and happiness. They were the ones looking to get their “felt needs” met.
Later in His ministry, we read about this phenomenon of non-saving following again.
Matthew 7:28-29; 8:1 (ESV) 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. 1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
But a new component enters the narrative (Matthew 8:5-13). We have an enemy of the Jews, a Roman Centurion, asking Jesus to heal his servant who was at his house. But he didn’t need Jesus to go to the servant but rather just say the word and heal him. This Roman Centurion saw himself unworthy to bother Jesus by traveling to visit his servant. This proud man humbled himself for the sake of his servant (vs.9). Piper comments on this; “Like the crowds, he recognizes Jesus’s authority, but unlike the crowds, he seems to understand it. He bows to it. He’s not chasing a show; he cancels the show. Don’t come. Just say the word. Your command carries all the power necessary.”[1]
It is what Jesus said in response that is telling.
Matthew 8:10-12 (ESV) 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (emphasis added)
What a rebuke to the these “followers.” It is obvious from our Lord’s comments that the followers in verse 1 didn’t have a saving faith in Christ. They followed because they were impressed with the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). They were impressed with His healing power (vv.2-4). But there was no repentance from sin or recognition of the Saviorhood of Christ (cf. John 6:64-66). But the Scriptures describes them as “followers.” Again, Piper; “Don’t miss who he was speaking to: “those who followed him.” He’s teaching “followers” what it really means to follow, and he’s pointing to their enemy, a Roman officer. True followers do not chase me for my miracles, but follow me because I am worthy of their faith and devotion — of their life.”[2]
Shortly after this our Lord again impresses upon those who would truly follow Him that there would be a cost and an absolute commitment.
Matthew 8:19-22 (ESV) 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
These “followers” would stand in contrast to the description and teachings of Christ at the end of His ministry where He fixes His attention on the disciples and lays out the terms of a true follower.
Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Luke 14:26 (NKJV) 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:33 (NKJV) 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
But this “Following” cannot be done in our own power or by our own will (John 1:13). This is the product of a real new birth (John 3:3-6), real Spirit regeneration (John 3:6-8; Titus 3:5). Frankly, it by the sovereign work of God’s grace that kills the old man (Romans 6:6-8) and brings life via the new man (vs.8). It means crucifixion (Galatians 2:20-21).
The true follower lives for something other than himself. He lives not for his comfort, his healing, his entertainment, his happiness. He lives for Christ.
Philippians 1:21 (ESV) 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 3:7 (ESV) 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Colossians 1:27 (ESV) 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
It’s a passionate life.
A life lived with passion is a life that is lived for something greater than ourselves – Jesus Christ
- Michael Holtzinger
[1] John Piper “How To Almost Follow Jesus,” https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-almost-follow-jesus?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedpress.me&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dg-articles
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