Following Jesus: Matthew 8.16-22

How to follow Jesus...


There are different levels of following.

1. Interested. When someone is interested in something they often think that they are committed to it. But they are not. That is why we laugh about Tommy Sands, the DeFranco Family, New Edition, Menudo and Hanson. They were all teen idols that many of us were interested in. We thought we were committed, but if we were they would still be on the radio. Some of us are interested in following Jesus. But we quickly get distracted. We get caught up in the hubbub of the latest reality television series or our favorite football team and then we forget our interest in Jesus.


2. Committed. When we are committed, we are willing to give our lives for a cause. Sometimes we get the idea that the committed are fanatics, but they are not. They have chosen a cause and they are sticking with it. They will not give it up when the next candidate comes along. They are in it for the long haul. People who are committed to Jesus live for him every moment of every day. They are focused on Christ and his word, always.


3. Hungry. There is yet one more level of commitment. There are some people who are so committed that they become zealous. They devote entire rooms in their homes to certain sports teams and their paraphernalia. Every new item, new opportunity is anticipated and coveted with glee. There are some people who are hungry for Jesus. They cannot get enough of him, his word or his work. They spend every waking moment in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. They long for another opportunity to gather for worship.

We can think of this as three levels of following Jesus, three degrees of commitment. Are you interested in Jesus yet? If not, it is time that you considered become a follower, at least in the sense of being curious and emotionally engaged. You should make a change today. Move over one step to the interested category.

Maybe you find yourself in the category of those who are interested. You are sticking with Jesus until something more interesting comes along. You should make a change today. Move over one step to the committed category.

It could be that you fit into the committed category already. Your life is focused on Jesus and his work, but there are limits. You should make a change today. Move over one step to the hungry category.

Matthew 5.6 sums it up for us: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. The Lord encourages us to be hungry and he promises that we will be filled. What more could we want?