Follow me. What’s that even mean? 2000 years after Christ said “FOLLOW ME,” we are left to our own devises as to what that actually means or how it’s played out in our daily lives. Especially since that phrase has taken on a whole new life of its own. On Twitter. On Instagram. “Follow me” is also a feature of your drone’s capabilities of following your every move (for the truly narcissistic among us that can’t get enough of watching ourselves).
We didn’t have any of that growing up. But I did know what following someone was all about. I followed Rock stars, TV stars, and sports heroes. I emulated their fashion, their swagger, their behaviors.
But in truth, the one I followed the most, as any dutiful younger brother as does,
was my big bro. Whatever he did, I did. He was into sports, I was into sports. He played an instrument, I played an instrument. He said playing with GI Joes was dumb, I cried and said playing with GI Joes was dumb. He wore a leisure suit, I wore a leisure suit. He got a perm, I … drew the line. My fourth grade reputation was on the line.
It was instinctual to emulate his behavior, to do what he did. I didn’t have to try, it just was. I followed the way of Darrin. Now at some point I outgrew that and started charting my own path. Although he maintained fashion guide status until Lisa took over that job.
So we all know to some extent what it is to follow someone. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we do. So Jesus calls us to Follow Him. What does that mean? In order to answer that question, it’s important to understand what it must have meant to those he originally invited to follow him. What did it mean for someone to receive an invitation to follow someone else?
In the first century rabbinic culture, follow me meant “come be like me and submit to my authoritative teaching. You have made the last cut. You are now on the varsity team. You are good enough to be a part of my learning community!” “Follow Me” was a letter of acceptance. These words were affirmation of an exhaustive process that elite Jewish young men, rabbi-wannabes, would have to endure.
“Follow me” were the cherished two words that validated years of study. It was an honor to be welcomed into a certain rabbi’s “yeshiva” or learning community. It was also an instant life changing call… to take on the characteristics, behaviors, and teachings of the rabbi. You would forget life as you knew it and become a “follower of the way of Rabbi _________ (insert name here).”
As always, Jesus flips everything upside down. Instead of carefully weeding out those who couldn’t measure up, subjecting the candidates to an intense application process, and granting acceptance to an elite few, Jesus goes to the rabbinic wash outs and outcasts … AND DOES THE ACCEPTING WITHOUT AN APPLICATION PROCESS. He actually DOES THE INVITING.
The original 12 had no aspirations of joining the ranks of a rabbinic yeshiva. They weren’t qualified. They knew they didn’t measure up. And yet this man Jesus–this carpenter/teacher who’d been wowing the scholars since early adolescence and rumored worker of miracles — spoke the words to they never thought they’d hear: FOLLOW ME.
And He’s still speaking those words today. His call for us to follow him today is no less mind blowing than it was to the original 12. We don’t deserve it. We aren’t worthy. We never even asked to be invited … yet the GREATEST INVITATION you will ever receive is nonetheless yours to accept.
The only questions we all have to ask ourselves: will we forget the life we’ve known and “follow the Way of Jesus?” Are we willing to let the Spirit indwell and empower us so that we instinctively take on the behaviors, characteristics, and teachings of Christ? Are we willing to say YES the GREATEST INVITATION … never stop saying YES? If so, congrats! You’re in!