By Gary Jarnagin, Minister of Senior Adults and Education
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Rusty
Ricketson wrote in his work, “followerfirst,” “Jesus was the greatest follower
who ever lived. At first blush such a
statement might fly in the face of much of the literature that presents Jesus
as the consummate leader. However, upon
closer inspection, it was Jesus acting as a follower that influenced more
people than His actual leading a small band of disciples” (p. 18). If I were to ask today, “What would you like
to be: a follower or a leader?” Perhaps
the majority of individuals would immediately respond, a leader! The prevailing thought is that leaders are
the ones who get to make all the decisions, they are the ones who receive all
the perks, after all, leaders are the ones who direct the path, pace, and perceived
privileges of those following. However, the
Apostle Paul wrote, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed
to the likeness of his Son…” (Rom. 8:29).
The word “conformed,” means “pertaining to that which has a similar form
or nature—‘similar in form, of the same form.’ ‘he set them apart in order that
they might be similar in form to the nature of his Son’ Rom. 8:29 (Lowe, J. P.,
& Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English
lexicon of the New Testament). Therefore, if we are to be conformed, live
in the likeness or form of Jesus Christ, shouldn’t we become followers?
The Apostle John wrote, “…For I have come
down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me” (John
6:38). “I can of myself do
nothing…because I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me”
(John 5:30). “I have not spoken on my
own authority, but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say
and what I should speak” (John 12:49-50).
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from
above…” (John 19:11). “Christ Jesus…made
himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. Being made in human likeness,
and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient
to death—even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:5-8). “I have brought you glory on
earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). ”Father, if you are willing, take this cup
from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). “I have come down from heaven not to do my
own will, but the will of Him who sent me” (John 6:38). Through these few
examples of Scripture, evidence suggests that Jesus was a follower. If we are to obey Scripture and become
conformed to His likeness, shouldn’t we become followers?
Christ’s statements, “Follow Me,” were
commands not options or an invitation.
As Ricketson concluded, “Jesus was not looking for leaders, Jesus was
looking for followers…The Bible is clear that Jesus came to follow, call
followers, and follow the will of the Father” (p. 23,31). If one calls themselves followers of Christ,
then it is Christ’s attitude and actions with which our lives should be conforming.
Seemingly, Luke summarized the “followerfirst” philosophy when he wrote, “…A
disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will
be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). As we
follow Christ, we must remember that all followers of Christ are sinners saved
by His grace. I would submit to you, that as followers of Jesus Christ, we need
to re-exam our relationship with the one who saved us and be trained by Him. In
doing so, we submit ourselves, not to become leaders, but to become followers
of Jesus Christ. It is only when we
become follower of Christ, that someday we may hear, “Well done, good and
faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21).
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