Two small words that had an immense impact on the lives of many.
Whether people complied to it, or they rejected it, their decision reaches into eternity.
In Matthew 4:19-20 we see Jesus call His first disciples. ¹⁹And He (Jesus) said to them (Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother), “FOLLOW ME, and I will make you fishers of men.” [and] ²⁰Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
Something similar we read in Mark 2:14 where Jesus called Matthew.
¹⁴ “As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “FOLLOW ME!” And he got up and followed Him”.
What a difference with many people today. They heard His invitation and immediately they followed Him. I know of people who have been invited several times already, and still did not decide if they are willing to follow Him or not.
Are they going to wait so long, that time decides for them?
And you? Are you going to wait so long, that time decides for you?
The decision that time takes will always be negative for you, for if time decides for you, it means that you are too late.
When you are standing at a bus station, but don’t decide to get into the bus, the driver, before driving away may still ask you “Are you coming or not?” If you don’t react, he will close the door and drive away, leaving you behind.
One day it will be too late for many people who are still indecisive today. Are you going to be one of them? You must make a choice!
Some people think they have a good reason for delaying their decision to follow Jesus, as we can read in Matthew 8:21-22. They asked a seemingly reasonable question. But it was a question that came forth from the flesh. And Jesus gave them a spiritual answer.
²¹Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” ²²But Jesus said to him, “FOLLOW ME, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”
Those who are spiritually alive have nothing to do with death. Let those who are still spiritually dead bother for their dead. We must have our minds set on God’s interests, and not on our own.
In Matthew 16:23 we see Jesus rebuke Peter when He said “Get behind Me, satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
Following Jesus also means that you let God’s will prevail above the longings of your heart. Yes, to be a disciple of Jesus is costly.
Jesus made this clear to His disciples when He said “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and FOLLOW ME”. (Matthew 16:24)
And in Matthew 19:21 we hear Jesus say to the rich man “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, FOLLOW ME.”
For us this means that we have to get rid of everything that is limiting us in our companionship with Jesus. Some materials, possessions, hobbies, or sports, or whatever else that takes your time, may have such an influence on you, that it became an idol to you.
WARNING: Idols will separate you from God!
Once we started to follow Jesus, we will see things and wonder.
I cannot count the number of times I have seen questions that came directly from this wondering an curiosity.
People (often young in faith) learned that we should not bow to statues and up comes the question “What about Catholics?”,
They learned that Jesus is the only way to the Father, and up comes the question “What about muslims?”, and so on.
This question has been asked about persons in the Bible, and about almost anything you can imagine.
As we can read in John 21:21-22 Peter too came to this question
²¹ “Lord, and what about this man?” And ²²Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You FOLLOW ME!”
In today’s words we would say: “That is none of your business! You just make sure you keep following Jesus!”
To all those people, of whom you think or know that they are wrong in their belief, you may be a living testimony, showing them what you believe. God may, on His time, even give you an opening to share your faith with them. And in the mean time, you keep following Jesus!
In case you are not yet following Him, repent of your sin, ask in prayer for forgiveness, and start following Him today!
You never know if now is maybe your last chance to do so.
About Author
