Was Jesus being insensitive? Did he over-speak? Really? Anyone with a father can sympathize with the heartbroken son. Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead” (Matthew 8:22). I will follow you, but I have some other important things to take care of first. Hear, “Follow me,” and drag your feet.Īnother disciple spoke up, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father” (Matthew 8:21). True followers do not chase me for earthly comfort or reputation, but embrace the suffering and rejection of being united to a crucified Savior. I bore the cross of God’s wrath so that you didn’t have to - but anyone who follows me will bear a cross. Jesus says a couple chapters later, “Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38). To follow Christ is not to share in fame, power, or comfort (at least not yet), but first to share in sacrifice, suffering, and hostility. You follow me for miracles, for fame, for power and comfort, but I will be despised and rejected by men, as one from whom men hide their faces (Isaiah 53:3). No room in the inn, no room in the caves, no room even in the nests. Jesus responded, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20). And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go” (Matthew 8:19). But instead of receiving them, Jesus “gave orders to go over to the other side” (Matthew 8:18) - to flee the crowd, that kind of crowd. That evening, Jesus healed many more who were sick or under demonic attack, and so the crowds flocked again. True followers do not chase me for my miracles, but follow me because I am worthy of their faith and devotion - of their life. Don’t miss who he was speaking to: “those who followed him.” He’s teaching “followers” what it really means to follow, and he’s pointing to their enemy, a Roman officer. “When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith’” (Matthew 8:10). Your command carries all the power necessary. He’s not chasing a show he cancels the show. Like the crowds, he recognizes Jesus’s authority, but unlike the crowds, he seems to understand it. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Matthew 8:9) “For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. Jesus agrees, but the man replies, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). They were in awe of his authority (Matthew 7:29) - his boldness, his insight, his miracles - but not ready to submit to his authority.Īs the crowds chased Jesus, he went to Capernaum, where he met a Roman centurion (of all people) who pleaded with him to heal his paralyzed servant.

Matthew writes, “When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him” (Matthew 8:1). When Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount, the crowds were amazed and chased after him. If you want to almost follow Jesus, here are three ways from Matthew 8. If we truly follow him - desiring him above all else, embracing trials and opposition for his sake, and leaving whatever necessary behind - we won’t need to chase comfort, attention, or happiness here. If we almost follow Jesus, tagging along with Christians as long as it’s socially acceptable and psychologically comfortable, we’ll come to the end of the benefits of Christianity. But those who were willing to lose everything to gain him, who rejoice at the opportunity to suffer for his name, will experience deeper, fuller intimacy with him than ever before (Philippians 3:8–10).

Those who followed Jesus for the wrong reasons will inevitably fall away, not willing to bear any cross heavier than the one around their neck. The more following Jesus falls out of fashion in America, the more we’ll experience what it really means to follow him.Īs the risks rise for us, the once large crowds may disperse, but genuine, joy-filled faith will rise.

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