Follow Me: The Invitation That Changed the World
Jesus said: "follow me"
When Jesus made this statement it was not an invitation to go on a site seeing journey. It was not an invitation to go on a leisurely walk with Jesus leading the way. Instead it was an invitation to join a movement that would bring about the biggest transformational change ever known to mankind.
This simple phrase is significant because it is the voice of the creator announcing a new venture. For the first and only time in all of time the voice of creation, the one who spoke everything into being, revealed himself in human flesh. His invitation to his listeners and to us, is an invitation to radical discipleship. The invitation was and is an invitation to set aside personal desires and aspirations and to set our hearts, minds and bodies toward doing the will of the one who leads us. It was a call to leave the familiar and enter the unknown. It was a call to self sacrifice and suffering. It is a call to being misunderstood and persecuted. It was a call to martyrdom. Second century Tertullian made the now famous statement: "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."
Since these words - follow me - were spoken by Jesus, billions of people have said "Yes" to the invitation. These billions have recognized that the path to eternal life is through confession of sins, radical life change, and being on mission with our leader Jesus.
In the month of November we remember those who live in places where being a Jesus follower is very risky and sometimes downright dangerous. This morning I read an article that stated there are an average of 8 attacks on Christians in Nigeria every day. In another report it stated 340 million Jesus followers currently face high levels of persecution and discrimination. Approximately 9,000 Jesus followers die for their faith each year. North Korea is reportedly the most dangerous place on earth to be a disciple of Jesus.
Throughout the ages regimes like the current one in North Korea have tried to stamp out the Gospel message which is in reality the good news for all people. Every attack, every killing, every effort to stop the spread of Jesus' message has failed and will continue to fail because, contrary to every other movement designed to take over the world, this one is built on love and self sacrifice by its adherents.
Throughout the centuries it has been proven again and again that love is a much more powerful force than hate. When hate toward Jesus followers becomes extreme the movement goes underground and becomes even more widespread than before. And when persecution is greatest in one place new believers start popping up in other places.
This worldwide movement started with the words - "follow me." It continues to this day because Jesus is still leading us with the presence of his spirit going before us. The Holy Spirit directs us where to go. He prepares the hearts of those who do not know Jesus. He comforts those who are injured in the battle, and He welcomes those who are martyred with a heroes welcome when they arrive in glory. And every year more and more people respond affirmatively to Jesus and his invitation to "follow me".
