From Fan To Follower The majority of people are a fan of something or someone. They go to the concerts, watch the games, and share social posts about it. They may wear the merch and don the stickers. They may even include themselves when referring to the latest news as if the connection were very real. There is another kind of fan, though. The one who becomes what was once celebrated. This one is no longer just an avid observer. The discipline is discovered and followed that leads to emulation of what has been admired. The idolized rock star becomes a peer. The elite athlete has a new opponent. The impressive entrepreneur becomes the mentor of a new partner. A substantial fan base was firmly established by the feeding of the thousands, walking on the water, and healing of Lazarus. Jesus was able to draw a crowd wherever He went as He was quickly being assessed as the Messiah, the One who would lead them to earthly freedom and dominance. In the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy, however, there was another dramatic demonstration of the difference His impending sacrifice would make. Though the crowds cheering Him on the donkey’s colt would prove how unreliable a fan base could be, as the Lamb of God, He would make His way into hearts where He would remain forever. All those who would eat and drink of what He was about to become would go from fickle fan to faithful follower. Notes A fan: Watches from a distance Admires, cheers, talks about it Knows the stats, the stories, the highlights Feels connected—but is not transformed A fan of a chef never learns to cook A fan of an athlete never trains A fan of a performer never practices A Follower: Steps in close Practices, imitates, struggles Internalizes what they’ve seen Is gradually changed into it They don’t just admire the chef—they cook They don’t just watch the athlete—they train They don’t just go to the concert—they perform Incredibly specific prophecy of fandom from Zechariah 9:9-10 (NLT) Just a week prior to crucifixion - celebration John 12:12-16 (TPT) 12 The next day the news that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem swept through the massive crowd gathered for the feast. 13 So they took palm branches and went out to meet him. Everyone was shouting, “Lord, be our Savior! Blessed is the one who comes to us sent from Jehovah-God, the King of Israel!” 14 Then Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it to fulfill what was prophesied: 15 “People of Zion, have no fear! Look—it’s your king coming to you riding on a young donkey!” 16 Now Jesus’ disciples didn’t fully understand the importance of what was taking place, but after he was raised and exalted into glory, they understood how Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies in the Scriptures that were written about him. Purpose of celebration - Fulfill a prophecy of Jesus' arrival by those who had no clue. Backup 6 chapters - feeding of the thousands Crowds of fans John 6:2 (NLT) 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Fed 5 thousand Personal connection through suspected identity John 6:14-15 (NLT) 14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself. Walking on the water Crowd wanting to see more signs, eat more bread Following loses many fans John 6:56 (NLT) 56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Belief goes beyond event John 6:64-68 (NLT) 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” 66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. Matthew 16:24 (TPT) 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If you truly want to follow me, you should at once completely reject and disown your own life. And you must be willing to share my cross and experience it as your own, as you continually surrender to my ways. Just before Passover - essential resurrection event John 12:17-19 (NLT) 17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!” Unconfessed belief prohibits following John 12:37,42-43 (NLT) 37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. 42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. Not fans, but followers enter - known by unity and not accolades. Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT) 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Overview: The Fan Watches from a distance Admires, cheers, and talks about it Knows the stories but avoids the cost Feels connected—but remains unchanged Fans of Jesus followed for: Miracles (John 6:2) Provision (feeding of the 5,000) Expectation of power (John 6:14–15) But fans: Want benefits without surrender Disappear when truth becomes costly (John 6:66) The Follower Draws near and stays close Practices, obeys, and perseveres Internalizes truth Is transformed over time Followers: Receive Christ, not just observe Him (John 6:56) Stay when others leave (John 6:68) Deny themselves and take up the cross (Matthew 16:24) The Turning Point Crowds → Celebration → Confrontation Crowds formed through miracles (John 6) Celebration erupted at His entry (John 12:12–13) Prophecy fulfilled from Book of Zechariah (9:9–10) But hearts were unchanged Many praised Him publicly… Few received Him personally The Danger of Fandom Belief without surrender (John 12:37) Hidden faith for fear of people (John 12:42–43) Loving human approval over God’s Fandom says: “I like Jesus” Following says: “I belong to Jesus” The True Test Not words: “Lord, Lord” (Matthew 7:21) Not activity or hype But obedience and relationship Followers are: Known by surrender Marked by unity with Him Transformed from the inside out Core Truth Fans celebrate what Jesus does. Followers become who Jesus is forming. Prayer Father, I don’t want to remain at a distance—admiring but unchanged. Draw me closer to You. Expose any place in me that prefers comfort over surrender, or approval from people over obedience to You. Jesus, teach me to truly receive You— not just in words, but in the way I live. Let Your life become my life. Let Your ways become my ways. Holy Spirit, form in me the heart of a true follower— one who stays, obeys, and is transformed. In Jesus’ name, amen. Declarations I am not just a fan—I am a follower of Jesus I don’t just admire truth—I live it I receive Christ fully, not partially I remain in Him, and He remains in me I choose obedience over comfort I choose God’s approval over people’s praise I will not walk away when truth is difficult I take up my cross and follow Him daily I am being transformed into His likeness My life reflects not hype—but surrender