8th
Follow Jesus
What does it mean to follow somebody? It means that you go where they go, and in doing so, you get in behind them. The disciples spent three years doing following Jesus, and while He was around, it was Him that took the heat from the Pharisees. Then when He left, ascending to heaven, the disciples continued to follow Him. But since He was no longer physically around, it was the disciples turn to face up to persecution.
“Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” - John 15:20
But fortunately for us, we also know what is to come. God has revealed to us what will be our end, if we continue to follow Jesus. You see, by getting behind Jesus, He shields us from the wrath of God which we all deserve. In His death on the cross, he becomes a kind of force field to absorb the punishment that should be dealt to us.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. - Colossians 2:13-14
Those who refuse to follow Him, will instead be standing in front of Him when He comes. This is not a place I would like to be when you read that the Jesus who returns will not be the meek and mild lamb-hugger that He is portrayed as by so many.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron sceptre.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in mid-air, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” - Revelation 19:11-18
But how blessed are those who follow Him now. For we can be confident of following Him for all eternity. He has gone on ahead to prepare a place for us, where one day He will take us to glory and rejoice in God forever and ever.
Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
- Revelation 7:13-17
If we reject or ignore Jesus now, then we will face his wrath, and stand condemned to eternally be banished from His presence.
If we follow Him now, then we are but beginning to taste the goodness that our God offers.
So where do you stand now in relation to Jesus?
