When you go on a guided tour, there will be someone to show you around, your guide. Recently, my husband and I were in Greece. We had a lovely tour guide named Artemis. She was so steeped in Greek history and archaeology that she made everything sound fascinating. One time I heard her say to a group of folks, “Follow me.” So off I went, following her, only to end up at the men’s bathroom! She was showing a group of men where it was. When she turned and saw me looking rather sheepish, she very graciously said with a smile, “The women’s restroom is around the corner.”
There is an art to following. First, you have to submit your own will to someone else. There can only be one leader; the rest are followers. Think about the game of Follow the Leader or Simon Says or even the Hokey Pokey. If more than one person shouted the orders, confusion would abound. If the leader says, “Put your right foot in” while someone else is saying “Put your left arm in” you’d have to be quite the contortionist to make that one work!
Before you follow someone you also need to think about who is worth following. Why should you follow them? Are they knowledgeable? Are they going to take you somewhere you want to go or will you end up at the men’s room! Following can be tricky.
But here’s the thing – we follow someone or something every day of our lives! Think about the times you’ve gotten into the car and driven somewhere. Or walked somewhere. You followed a path. Think about going to a movie or to a concert event. You followed the ushers. Jesus extended an invitation to some fishermen on the shores of Galilee:
And He said to them, “Follow Me,
and I will make you fishers of people.”
Matthew 4:19
This wasn’t going to be a get together, hanging out with Jesus. The word “follow” is a verb that implies an action. We’re going to do something. And it’s important for believers to consider whether you’re just hanging out with Jesus or whether you’re truly following Him. It’s great to hang out with Him. Perhaps you remember the story of Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John up the mountain and He was transfigured before their eyes. They also saw Moses and Elijah! It felt so good to Peter that he wanted to build them each a tent and stay there. But staying is not the same as following.
Following Jesus means walking where He walks, doing things as He would do them, going in His direction and not ours. It is our following of Jesus that determines our fruitfulness. As we follow Jesus, it results in the transformation and growth that many Christians are looking for. You want to know how to grow in love? Follow! You want to increase your faith? Follow!
Living the crucified life isn’t about religion and rules. It’s about following the One who went to the cross. It’s a lifestyle of everyday choices to follow the One who always leads us in victory! So, the invitation is as valid today as on those shores so long ago. Do you hear it? “And He [says to us], ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.’”
Join us this Sunday as we talk about what it means to follow Christ with the message: Follow Me. It will be the 4th Sunday, so we will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries!
Band Concert! Join us next Tuesday, June 25, for a rousing good time with the After Hours Community Band! They’ll bring their wonderful repertoire of everything from jazz to big band! Don’t let the weather stop you – the concert doesn’t start till 7:00pm. By then the sun will be around the corner! And we’ll have cool treats for purchase from the Kona Ice truck.
Vision for 2024:
A House United:
Strong Faith, Strong Families, Strong Future!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
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