[A public entry from my personal journal about what it means to hear and follow Jesus.]
Jesus,
Thank You for loving and leading me in following You and teaching others to follow You.
In calling and making Your first disciples, You said “follow Me” twenty times (mostly akoloutheō). Many did follow you (akoloutheō), including large crowds and not just Your disciples.
In John 10:27 You said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow Me.”
In John 15:4–5,16 You appear to be saying the same thing in other words:
“Remain in (menō) Me and you will bear fruit (karpos) [disciples*] that remains in (menō again) Me.”
*The two other references to karpos in John refer to people from other nations wanting to follow You:
- the Samaritans in John 4:36
- and the Greeks in John 12:24.
As You concluded Your training of these first disciples Your commission appears to anticipate them doing with others what you did with them:
“Go, make disciples …, teaching them to obey [follow Me]” (Matthew 28:18).
I have accumulated and sought to apply understanding.
I have sought to hear and obey Your voice.
But I have NOT followed You in teaching others to follow You.
I have memorized but not applied Proverbs 3:5–6:
Trust in Jesus with all your heart
and don’t lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways listen to and follow Jesus
and He will lead you.
I am the man described in James 1:23–24:
I listen to the word but do not do what it says. I am like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and then goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
Thank you, Jesus, that:
- Despite my failures, You are eager to have me in Your family.
- You always lead when I focus on hearing and following where You lead me.
Lead me today to listen long enough and well enough to:
- hear You clearly,
- follow You into the harvest, and
- disciple others to do the same.