Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Bob, why are you resisting me?” I said, “I’m not resisting you!” He said, “You gonna follow me?” I said, “I’ve never thought about that before!” He said, “When you’re not following me, you’re resisting me.”
- Bob Dylan
If we believe Jesus is ‘the Way,’ does it not make sense that he tells us to follow him? As King, he has authority to command us, but I think sometimes he beckons us as our Brother.
“As I followed the Father, so I am inviting you to follow me. Do you think I was foolish to ‘become nothing’ to come to earth as a servant? No, I tell you that such a path led to incredible reward. And self denial will also bring you reward as you trust the Holy Spirit to lead.
“My apostles did not like to hear me talk of the cross I was destined to carry, but they did not know of the joy that was set before me. They did not know of the victory ahead or the blessings others would receive as I followed my Father. Any cross you bear for my sake will also have purpose. Pick up your cross and follow me and you will understand my joy.”
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34
Bob Dylan quote from ‘The Shack’ by William P. Young; Windblown Media; Los Angeles, California; ©2007; p. 231