Why do you follow Jesus?
That sounds like such a simple question, and most would answer with the typical “because He is my Savior.” We have learned that answer and give it without a second thought.
But what if you really thought about it? What if someone challenged you to prove your answer? You see, I think many people follow Jesus because of what they want Him to do for them. Don’t let my hypothesis offend you. After all, Jesus had those kinds of followers in HIs days on earth also.
Why They Followed
The day after Jesus miraculously fed a multitude, that same crowd crossed the Sea of Galilee looking for him. To their surprise, they found Him in Capernaum and questioned how He got there. (John 6:25-26)
Jesus did answer their question, but offered a more telling observation. They weren’t looking for Him because they saw the Messianic sign He had performed; they just wanted more food. The crowd did not follow Jesus because of who He was, but because of what He did for them.
Even though Jesus referred to the miraculous feeding as a sign, the crowd did not recognize it as such. Later in that same exchange they would ask Him a question that revealed their cluelessness.
“… what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?” – John 6:30
Fan or Follower?
Many today go to church and do Christian things hoping to obligate Jesus to grant the desires of their prayers. What if Jesus never did anything for you? Or what if He didn’t answer your prayers? What if you never experienced a blessing from heaven? Would you still follow Him?
When something favorable happens in response to our prayers, we quickly proclaim, “God is good!” But do we believe God is good when the news isn’t so good? God is good when sickness is healed. Is He good when the disease is terminal and suffering ensues? God is good when somehow a good job opportunity comes through. But is He good to those still among the ranks of the unemployed? God is good win we win. But is He also good when we lose?
Like the crowd seeking fish sandwiches from Jesus, do we see the signs pointing to who He is? Or do want more of His delicious fish sandwiches? HIs financial provisions? His healing? Or any number of other blessings?
Don’t misunderstand me. Receiving blessings from Jesus is a good thing. But if that is our primary reason for following Him, He is not our Lord. He is our sugar daddy. Jesus is worthy of our devotion not because of what he has done or can do for us. He is worthy of our devotion…PERIOD.
Heart Check
A gaze at who Jesus is can turn the most ardent fan into a devoted follower. Jesus isn’t good because He does good things. He does good things because He IS good. Jesus isn’t righteous because He does the right things. He does the right things because He IS righteous. You get the picture.
Let me encourage you to do three things in response.
- Take an honest assessment of your motivations. Why do you follow Jesus? Do you superstitiously hope that “karma” will cause good things to come your way because you follow Jesus? Or are you hopelessly and helplessly in love with the Son of God?
- Ask God to reveal to you the true nature of your heart, and look out – because He will.
- Spend some significant time reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in your Bible. Watch Jesus interact with both those who followed Him and those who opposed Him. Take note of His character traits. The more you get to know Him, the more you will love Him.
As the old hymn reminds us:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.