Follow “Follow” is one of those words that is now used in a way that didn’t exist before online identity. Simply getting notifications of certain activities is far from what was required in Jesus’ statement. It wasn’t just about arriving at the same destination, either. “Following” Jesus first required giving up on an existing, self-determined pathway to only remain positioned with Him in the lead. He likened it to taking up your own cross so that all personal pursuits serve the Father’s purpose. Without this crucifixion of other paths, there could be no “following” of His. There is also a need to remain close enough to clearly see each of His movements. Especially when the traffic of life becomes greatly congested with alternative movements, staying right behind Him ensures that His every turn is taken. Another part of “following” implied in Jesus’ statement is the need for complete transformation. Rather than just including observance of Him as a supplement for a positive influence, letting go of everything else to become fixated on Him would transform everything about the person you used to be. Following would mean death to all the old identities and ways as who you are is taking on the nature of the One who now leads. Finally, this would be much more than just a weekend excursion. Following the Master to an eternal destination of heavenly promise would require an eternal commitment. The first step in line with His would be the first of an infinite amount to come. Each movement determined by His would make way for unending progress on a path of ever-increasing brightness. All those who will know the promise of life Jesus came to give will discover it in the “following” that defines all of life. Much more than a casual observance of movements, His actions will be the decider of each of ours. Life in Him will be that of an old-school “follower”. Notes Meaning changes of late Cloud Fail Friend Like Ping Profile Swipe Text Timeline Tweet Viral Unplug To Follow: Take up cross Stay close Identity transformation Continue Take up your cross To be lead by Him – must lose old leaders Matthew 16:24-26 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 10:21-22 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Stay Close John 10:27-28 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Matthew 8:19-22 19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." James 4:8 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Identity In the following of is the making of – to follow is to become Matthew 4:19 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Galatians 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Continue Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Imitate to emulate 1 Corinthians 11:1 1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. Overview: There are various words that have been given newer meanings. To follow as Christ implied requires much more than just notification of His movements. In order to follow Him, must let the old leaders be crucified with Him. Following requires close proximity. To follow is to become. Temporal is abandoned for eternal in following Christ. Imitating Christ emulates His leading to Him. Prayer: Father, I am taking up my cross now, letting all the old leaders be disregarded in Your presence. I draw near to remain with You as my guide and Shepherd. Let me be a follower of You and in so doing become a leader to You in all I do, for the rest of my life. Declarations: I have been raised to new life in Christ with new direction and purpose. To follow Christ in this new life, all the old things used to follow are taken up on my cross to no longer lead. To follow His every movement, I remain close to my Lord, ever fixed on His goodness. As I behold Him up close, I am being changed into His image, likeness, and purpose. Living, moving, and having my being in Him is the life I follow forever. Following Him causes me to lead others to their own place of following.