Sheep Follow Their Shepherd

In our social media culture, following someone is just one click away. It requires nothing from us, no sacrifice, no cost, no commitment. But when Jesus says "follow me," He means something radically different.

Here's a statement that might challenge you: Jesus didn't come to call believers. He came to call followers.

Don't misunderstand, believing is absolutely critical. It's how we enter into relationship with God. But James 2:19 gives us a sobering reality check: "You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe, and shudder!"

The Greek word for "shudder" literally means to get goosebumps. Think about that. Demons break out in goosebumps at the name of Jesus, yet many professing believers show less reverence for His authority than the demonic realm does.

Believing was never meant to be the end, it's the birth of our relationship with God. And here's a principle worth remembering: If what we say we believe doesn't change the way we live, then what we believe isn't worth believing.

When Scripture says "believe in Jesus," the Greek actually reads "believe into Jesus." It's active, not passive. You're stepping into His life, entering into His mercy, placing yourself into His hands, trusting into His Lordship. You're stepping into the death and resurrection, living because He lives.

Jesus said "follow me" 84 times in Scripture, compared to "you must be born again" just three times. That's significant. He's calling us to something deeper than mental agreement.
When Jesus walked up to His disciples, He only said two words: "Follow me." And Matthew 4:20 tells us their response: "Immediately they left their nets and followed Him."

Not after a prayer meeting. Not after talking it over. Not after negotiating the terms. Immediately.

Here's the truth: You cannot obey Jesus and keep everything the same. He's not an add-on to your existing life. Jesus never said "invite me into your life." He said, "Leave your life and come into mine."

In Eastern culture, following a rabbi meant leaving everything to live with him, eat with him, go where he went, and absorb his teaching. The goal wasn't just to know what the rabbi taught, it was to become like him, to imitate his life.

That's what Jesus meant when He gave the Great Commission: "Go and make disciples of all nations." He wasn't asking us to get people to show up at church occasionally. He was calling us to bring people into a whole-life apprenticeship under His leadership.

Two critical truths about following:
Delayed obedience is disobedience. We have made hesitation spiritual. "Let me pray about that." "I'm waiting for confirmation." "I need clarity." When God speaks clearly and we say "later," we're not waiting, we're rebelling.

Partial obedience is not following. We want Jesus to follow us, to bless our plans, to approve our choices. But that's backwards. Following means His works become our works, His thoughts become our thoughts, His ways become our ways.

If Jesus is saying "follow me" to you today, ask yourself:

1. What's the net you need to drop? Is there a sin, a relationship, or a comfort zone keeping you from fully following?
2. Where has Jesus told you to move, and you've been stalling? Are you spiritualizing the waiting while actually just disobeying?
3. What part of your life doesn't look like Jesus? If you're following your rabbi, you should be resembling Him.
4. Where do you need to imitate Him instead of the world? Following isn't just knowing, it's imitation.

Jesus doesn't wait until you feel ready. He says "follow me" and expects us to move. If He says move and you don't move, you're not following, no matter how much information about God you've accumulated.

Say yes when it's inconvenient. Say yes when it costs you. Say yes when your flesh screams no. Say yes when your comfort zone is threatened. Say yes even when you don't see the full picture.

Are you a believer or are you a follower? Have you learned anything new from Jesus lately, or are you still living on what you knew 20 years ago?

Jesus is still saying "follow me." Right now. At your heart's door.

It starts with one yes. But let me prepare you, it will require a thousand more.

The question is: Will you say yes?