A little over a week ago, a thought came to my mind right before I went to bed. Of course, because of the way my brain works, it came in the form of a question. “Do you think it’s possible to be a believer and not be a disciple?” I grabbed my laptop, posed the question to a few people, and received some very insightful responses the next morning. We had a brief conversation about it a few days later, and after that, I didn’t think much more about it. That is, not until this morning.

I came in the office thinking I had an idea about what I was going to share in today’s blog post. But before I started writing, I was stopped in my tracks by these two words: Follow Me.

There are so many places in scripture where Jesus gives people this two-word instruction.

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:22)
As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” (Matthew 9:9)
If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. (Matthew 10:38)
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. (Matthew 16:24)
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21)

These are just a few of the many times Jesus says, “Follow Me.” I’ve read these scriptures countless times, so why did these two words have such an impact on me today? Because this time, it was revealed to me that people are hearing these same two words today more than ever before – but they have nothing to do with Christ.

“Follow me” with the ease of a click versus “Follow Me” by carrying your cross.

“Follow me” so you can see what others are doing versus “Follow Me” so I can show you what I want to do through you.

“Follow me” to catch up on what people are eating for dinner versus “Follow Me” so I can make you a fisher of men.

“Follow me” so you can feel like my life is so much better than yours versus “Follow Me” so I can give you eternal life.

“Follow me” so you can focus on all the things you don’t have versus “Follow Me” so you can receive all the things I’ve promised you.”

Maybe you believe in Jesus but choosing to follow someone else. Maybe instead of attempting to imitate your Creator, you’re trying to imitate another one of His creations. Whether we want to admit it or not, we’re all following someone. The question is, “Who are we following?” Even Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Jesus is always leading. He’s just waiting to see how you choose to respond when He says, “Follow Me.”

Leave a comment below to share how you’ve chosen to respond when Jesus said to you, “Follow Me.”

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