Matthew 4:19, “Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, the latest pop stars, movie stars, talk shows, and talk radio.
To name a few, these all have one thing in common. They are meant to have followers. The more followers, the more ‘likes’ the better. Social media, TV, and radio, all have turned society into followers. Not everything is bad to follow, yet in one way or another, things will pull our focus from Jesus and onto ‘what’s the latest update in this world’. Who’s on target for being the ‘it’ factor that can help me in the now? Unfortunately, satan uses this all as a ploy to pull our focus from Jesus, to get us caught up in the trends, videos, politics, and more. When we’re busy joining in who we’re following we’re zoning out God.
As I get older and see more around me, I’m seeing a common thread and direction of many when it comes to Christianity. People are beginning to disbelieve the Bible or have been led to believe it’s something it’s not. People see Christianity as a bunch of rules that restrict their fun. Then there’s the idea that Christianity is a burden to wear on your shoulders to please an angry God. The good news of the gospel has been lost to a world of social media followers.
In Matthew, we can learn the simple truths that can define our faith. We can follow all the things, sites, and people in this world and lose sight of what Christianity really means. Or, as Christians, we can choose to follow Jesus putting this world on the back burner and keeping Jesus first.
Remember, following Jesus is not something we just decide to do one day. Following Jesus is accepting the call from Jesus as He pursues us. Whereas the world wants you to follow them for vain glory and get paid in return, the Lord is actively seeking and calling for your heart no strings attached.
Let’s break down this verse in Matthew in three of the ways that Jesus calls us.
1. Following Jesus is a call to a relationship with Him. When Jesus calls us, He doesn’t say we have to follow a bunch of rules first. “If you get your act together then God will love you and then you can go to heaven.” Above all Jesus is calling you to know Him, to love Him, to treasure Him, to follow Him. “Follow me.”
Jesus doesn’t call us to follow a religion, to worship in a building weekly. He is simply saying, “Come, have a personal relationship with me.” This is a call to spend time with the One who created the world, the One who made you. (My personal favorite) the One who died on the cross for sin and rose again in victory! Our Savior is calling for us to come and know Him deeply and personally.
2. Following Jesus is a call to be transformed by Him. Not only does Jesus say ‘Come’, He adds ‘I will make you.’ When you follow Jesus, He promises to transform your life. Not with a 12-step program. Not by expecting you to make something of yourself.
Jesus wants to help you become the best version of yourself, and give you a new identity as a child of God. With Jesus, the old is gone and a new life begins by His transforming grace. Come as you are, no strings attached. When you follow Jesus, He transforms your heart and life daily. No more self-help, on your own, guru mumbo jumbo. When you follow Jesus, He promises to help you through life, He gives you freedom and change.
3. Following Jesus is a call to respond wholeheartedly. Look what Matthew says, “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” To the disciples, this was a big deal. Even if they had to leave everything behind. To them following Jesus meant more than anything they had, and they responded.
When Jesus calls us it’s a big deal. He is calling you and me to wholeheartedly respond. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to leave your job, family, and everything behind. To follow Jesus means you are willing to say everything belongs to Him. Your time, your energy, your money, your kids, your family, your future. Following Jesus means you are wholeheartedly willing to let Him lead in your life, you are saying, “Here I am Lord send me, for me and my house choose to follow you.’ And let me tell you, following Jesus is worth it.
Here are 13 awesome reasons why we should follow Jesus:
1. He is the only way to God- John 14:6
2. He is the source of life- John 1:1-4
3. He is the source of spiritual truth- John 8:31-32
4. He is a source of love- John 3:16, John 15:13, 1 John 4:19
5. He is a source of joy- John 15:11
6. He is the source of peace- John 14:27
7. He gives us a new identity- 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:11
8. He gives us life purpose- John 15:5, John 15:8, Galatians 5:22-23
9. He gives us eternal life- John 17:3
10. He forgives sins and sets us free from them- Acts 5:31, Romans 6:18-19
11. He comforts us in sorrow- Isaiah 53:3, Isaiah 61:3, Hebrews 4:14-15
12. He is the key to overcoming life- John 16:33
13. He has prepared an eternal home for us- John 14:2-3, James 1:12
I hope you have decided to follow Jesus, and these just solidify your faith. Go ahead hit the like button and be a follower today.
We don’t have to click any buttons to follow Jesus or be in His ‘in’ group. He has given each of us the opportunity to spend time with Him, get to know Him, and be in His presence. It is by daily opening His Word we can grow in Jesus and that is the simplest way to follow Him. Having daily devotions is a spiritual discipline that helps us get to know God, ensures we stay connected to Him (John 15:1-8), teaches us truth, provides a place for worship, and functions as a daily shelter in the midst of the storms of life. Many blessings as you continue to seek God daily and walk with Him.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on ConnectWithGodDaily
Featured Image by Matthias Groeneveld from Pixabay
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