Saturday, January 22, 2011

January 20, 2011

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19 NIV 2010)

Have you ever seen a bumper sticker on the bumper of a car that you were following, that had lettering in extremely small font - so small that you would only be able to read it if you were right on the tail of the car you were following? I have seen a number of these, and often the phrase you will find, if you are able to make it out, turns out to be something vulgar in nature. But once I saw one of these stickers that I could actually appreciate - it posed the question (again in very small font only visible from short distances) "Are you following Jesus this closely?" It's a question worth asking ourselves. Can we truthfully say that we are "tailgating Jesus?" Or have we allowed other "cars" like self-centeredness, or the world and its pleasures, or some other kind of car to get in between our car and Jesus bumper? Of course if it were up to us and our own driving skills, we would have lost Jesus' lead, be down the wrong road, and crashed in no time... I am by no means a follower of pop-culture, but the refrain of a pop song made famous by Carrie Underwood happened to pop into my head, and while including it seemed a little silly, it also seemed to be a fitting plea for us reckless drivers: "Jesus take the wheel, take it from my hands, 'cause I can't do this on my own. I'm letting go so give me one more chance to save me from this road I'm on. Jesus, take the wheel." Even as we accept the invitation to follow Jesus, we must realize that we absolutely need Jesus to take the wheel, to guide us, and to draw us ever closer to Him so that we are able to follow.

"Draw us to thee; oh grant that we may walk the road to heaven!
Direct our way lest we should stray and from thy paths be driven." (CW 170:3)

When we are drawn to Jesus, when we are tailgating Jesus, one thing that we will be following is His example. When we follow Jesus closely we will quickly see that compassion and love for people dominates His attitude and actions. Doesn't it seem like we are almost to the point that if the people of this world aren't loving themselves, then they aren't loving at all? Jesus Himself warned, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." (Matthew 24:12) If we find ourselves following the world at all, it is likely that our love, if it doesn't grow cold, will for sure grow colder. But when we follow Jesus we will see that in all Jesus' healings and in all His dealings, His feelings of love and compassion predominated.

"Come follow me," the Savior spoke, "All in my way abiding,
deny yourselves; the world forsake; Obey my call and guiding.
Oh, bear the cross, what e'er betide; take my example for your guide." (CW 453:1)

In following Jesus, we will find out that what the Psalmist wrote is true - "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8) When we follow Jesus we would do well to pray that He would Kindle in us the fire of His love, that we may imitate Him and show warmth and love and compassion towards others whose love is growing cold. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. " (Ephesians 5:1-2) When we imitate Jesus and follow Jesus and His example closely, our own sense and level of love and compassion for our neighbors will be heightened. And how can we show our love for our neighbor more, or be more compassionate towards our neighbors, than by being concerned with their Spiritual needs? And so when we follow Jesus' example and follow Jesus' command, we will find ourselves being busy making disciples - fishing for men. Our fishing can follow Jesus' example by starting out by being genuinely compassionate towards people and their problems, showing genuine care and concern, and providing help when possible. But then above all else, nothing is more compassionate or shows more love towards our neighbor than getting them hooked on God - than getting their own car following, and then closely following, and eventually even tailgating Jesus.

"Are you following Jesus this closely?" When we follow Jesus our Savior closely - or more accurately when He in mercy steers us closer to Him - we will be comforted by the tremendous amount of love and compassion that He showers upon us and everyone He comes in contact with. The more time we spend following Jesus, and the closer we follow Jesus, the more we will be prone then to follow His example of compassion and love, and then direct that compassion and love towards others around us. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:1-5) Ultimately the best way to follow Jesus' example of looking to the interest of others and loving and showing concern for others, is to fish them - to share Jesus and His love with them, and get them hooked on Jesus, so that they will want to follow Jesus closely too.

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