Followfeatured

The word “follow” gets thrown around a lot these days. In the world of social media, having followers is a big deal.  I follow a few artists on Instagram, because I enjoy their art and I am interested in seeing their new works.  Seems harmless enough, right?

It might depend on what we mean when we follow.  Merriam-Webster has several definitions of follow.  A couple of definitions are: “to go, proceed, or come after” (e.g. following a guide) and “to walk or proceed along” (e. g. following a path). That kind of following seems short term or transient.

Other definitions indicate something a bit more significant: “to engage in as a calling or way of life”, “to be or act in accordance with” and “to accept as authority.”  This kind of following is not at all transient. It involves long term commitment and obedience.

In our social media crazed world, all too often people can find themselves following someone or something that is not worthy of their commitment or obedience. I don’t want to follow any artist (no matter how great!) in that way.  The reality is that only Jesus is worthy to be followed as a calling or a way of life.  He is our ultimate authority and is completely worthy of our commitment and obedience.

In the Bible we see that following is a consistent theme through Jesus’ life. Matthew 2:2 recounts events when the Magi arrived in Jerusalem after following a star: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  These Wise Men chose to follow a star and their following led them to the one worthy of worship.

Both the gospels of Matthew and Luke document how a couple of fishermen responded to Jesus’ invitation to follow him.

• “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him” (Luke 5:11)
• “At once they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:20).

Without hesitation, they committed and obeyed. They knew that Jesus was worthy.

Later in Luke, Jesus was pretty clear about what being his disciple entailed – “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”  Those words leave no doubt that being a Jesus follower requires commitment and obedience. My commitment and obedience to Jesus sometimes falters.  I am distracted by other things that beckon me to follow and I wander off on paths that are not worthy of my devotion. 

The Christmas season reminds me that just like the Wise Men long ago, we all have a star to follow.  In Revelation 22:16 Jesus tell us, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”  Now is a perfect time to assess and ask if we are obediently following the only one who is worthy – the bright Morning Star. Like the star in this painting, our Morning Star should be highly visible in our lives; not a tiny speck off in the distance. 

Let’s take time this Christmas to be sure we follow our bright Morning Star.  The same one that the Wise Men found worthy of worship. When we follow with all our love, obedience and devotion, that star will shine brightly in our lives.

Merry Christmas!