Follow Me

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.

Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 1:43

I remember being at a seminar in Kentucky with about 200 other people. The speaker, a woman, was dynamic and very effective. We all sat enthralled as she shared her wisdom with us.

So imagine my shock when she invited me up to the front to be Exhibit A in her presentation. To my knowledge, I had done nothing to draw attention to myself or to single myself out from the rest of the attendees. But she picked me out. And there I was, standing in front of 200 complete strangers, receiving the undivided attention (and scrutiny, I might add) of the resident expert.

Now try to imagine how Philip must have felt when the rising star on the prophetic scene walked right up to him and personally requested that he join his team. Think how much fear, joy and excitement must have simultaneously coursed through Philip’s veins as Jesus singled him out.

Imagine how Phillip must have felt when Jesus asked him to be his disciple.

Disciples are learners; they’re students. They follow a master-teacher. Jesus’ invitation to Phillip implied that he (Phillip) still had some things to learn and that he (Jesus) could teach them to him.

In reality, Philip had no idea what he was getting in to. How could he have known that he was about to become a student of the creating God of the universe? 

Are you a disciple? Are you following Jesus? Please know that any pull you have toward Jesus is exactly that, a pull. God is wooing you.

Any spiritual insight you have and any desire you have seek God are from God. You’re following him because he called you.  He walked right up to you, singled you out and invited you to join his team. It may feel like it was your idea, but it wasn’t. You were called.

Christian discipleship is an invitation-only process. Following Christ is not something you just wake up one day and choose to do. You have to be invited into Christ and given the proper equipment (the Holy Spirit) for the long journey ahead. And guess what?  You’ve been invited. Have you responded yet?

Following Jesus involves being a life-long learner. No one ever reaches full maturity in Christ. If you follow Jesus you will be a trainee until you get heaven. That doesn’t mean that you won’t be given massive kingdom assignments and other disciples to help along the way. But remember, Jesus is the wisdom of God incarnate. You’re not likely to master all that he has to say anytime soon.

Are you a disciple? Philip did not come to Jesus bargaining and posturing. Jesus found him and made a non-negotiable offer: Come follow me. He asks the same of you and me today.

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