Moving along

Our first call is to FOLLOW Jesus . His first invitation to the disciples was "Follow Me!".
And they did. Not all, but the 12 did. Against all odds and with much persecution they followed, even to the death.
Many say "I will follow You, Jesus. Where ever You lead, I will follow." But many do not understand what that entails.

What does Jesus mean when He invites us to follow?
To follow is the Greek word: Akoloutheo
From 2 words: a - together + keleuthos - a way
(Coming from the root word: kello - to move quickly and euthos - straight).

This word is so deep in meaning. This follow-ing is not the occasional and temporary following of the crowds, who hung with Jesus for the "works" He did for them. Nothing wrong with that. But Jesus requires more from His disciples.
This follow-ing involved an abiding fellowship with Him, not just for learning, but also for Salvation.
Discipleship is about us being"transformed into His likeness" and "conformed into His image".
Basically, to become more like Him and manifest or show that likeness in the world we live. To have that, though, requires a certain price, one of abiding fellowship.

What does that mean?
What is the price?
What is needed?

Mat 8:21 Another man, who was a disciple, said, "Sir, first let me go back and bury my father."
Mat 8:22 "Follow me," Jesus answered, "and let the dead bury their own dead."

1. A closeness fostered through absolute trust and obedience. Trusting He knows and has our futures and purpose really worked out for us. There can be no "Let me first"'s. Any delay in obedience is 'no' obedience. And only when we trust will we obey. "If you love Me you will obey My commands" Jesus said. This trust is a relinquishing of my own rights, even though you do have rights in His Kingdom, for trusting His choice for your life. Leaving all your design for your life to cleave to Him for your life.
2. An unquestioning following of His leading, every day. If I trust Him and I am willing to obey Him, then His leading is what I will always choose above my own 'common sense', many times. "My sheep follow My voice" Jesus said. As true sheep we will be absolutely committed to following the Master in all things. He leads to green pastures and beside still waters.
3. A commitment from the heart to always act according to His example. "Whoever follows Me will have the light of life". Jesus wants His disciples to learn of Him and become like Him, not just become aware of a bunch of regulations and rules. He doesn't want us just transferred from one culture to another. No! He wants us to be like Him; to represent Him in the earth. "Hang with Me. Closely". Is His admonishment. "Then you will more and more be like I am and show the world what I am about. Not just in what I say, but in who I am." Says the Lord.

So. from now on, when we boldly declare "I will follow you, because I have decided", let us be very aware what Jesus means when He says
"Follow Me!"

If we look at the definition of this word again, we can see the word means by definition to follow together with straight and closely. No deviations or distractions. No delays. Just full out following.
For many this may be hard to swallow. But this is what it means to follow Him. No agendas, no "self".
Let us be swift and quick to follow Him and straight in the path that He leads us on.