following
the message for a disciple of Jesus was simple: FOLLOW ME.
if you take a look at the life and ministry of Jesus, it wasn't exactly "well-organized." (not like the churches we have today.) He was anti-institutional and impractical. His methods for healing and spiritual disciplines were far from consistent. one day He's just speaking to a blind guy and he's healed, another time He goes to all the trouble to spit in the mud and put it on the blind man's eyes to impart healing.
the point is: Jesus didn't do this on accident. He knew that if He gave His followers a formula, then that's what they would follow. instead of following Him. if we had a recipe for spiritual success, we would simply use that instead of seeking HIM. the dependence would be on a system instead of a divine Person.
He says, "follow ME," not "follow my example," or "follow my methods."
Jesus was impractical because that's what He calls us to be. that's what a life of faith looks like.
when Peter was talking to Him about this after the resurrection, he was already getting sidetracked... asking about what would happen to john. Jesus said, basically, that was not to be peter's concern. "What is that to you? You follow Me!"
there is a difference between following Him and following His example. for the latter, my focus is set on my behavior... it's about what i do. but for the former, it is about being with Him. when i am following Him, i am in His presence, close enough to hear Him speak. HE is the object of my attention, energy, devotion.
if you take a look at the life and ministry of Jesus, it wasn't exactly "well-organized." (not like the churches we have today.) He was anti-institutional and impractical. His methods for healing and spiritual disciplines were far from consistent. one day He's just speaking to a blind guy and he's healed, another time He goes to all the trouble to spit in the mud and put it on the blind man's eyes to impart healing.
the point is: Jesus didn't do this on accident. He knew that if He gave His followers a formula, then that's what they would follow. instead of following Him. if we had a recipe for spiritual success, we would simply use that instead of seeking HIM. the dependence would be on a system instead of a divine Person.
He says, "follow ME," not "follow my example," or "follow my methods."
Jesus was impractical because that's what He calls us to be. that's what a life of faith looks like.
when Peter was talking to Him about this after the resurrection, he was already getting sidetracked... asking about what would happen to john. Jesus said, basically, that was not to be peter's concern. "What is that to you? You follow Me!"
there is a difference between following Him and following His example. for the latter, my focus is set on my behavior... it's about what i do. but for the former, it is about being with Him. when i am following Him, i am in His presence, close enough to hear Him speak. HE is the object of my attention, energy, devotion.
posted by bethany at
7:09 AM
|
2 Comments
