What does it mean to follow someone? Do you recall a mentor you had earlier in life? Do you think of following someone down the highway? Do you think of people who are following you? Are you following someone today?
Over the course of our lives, we may follow many different people. We may follow in the footsteps of our parents. We may follow a mentor or teacher. Social media provides a means for us to follow people or organizations we do not know personally.
In Jesus’ day, to follow someone meant to literally walk in their footsteps. This was especially true of those who followed a rabbi. As the rabbi lifted his foot to take a step forward, his follower would place his foot in his footprint. He would follow so close the dust the rabbi kicked up would land on him.
Jesus asks us to follow Him, just as He asked Matthew to follow Him. Matthew had a well-paying job, even if he was not well liked by his fellow Israelites. Yet, he simply got up and followed. He had no idea where he was going. He did not know what would become of him.
Jesus does not ask us to follow Him and give us all the answers beforehand. Implicit in His asking is to trust Him into the unknown. But is that really any different than anything in life? We have no way of knowing what tomorrow will bring. But when we follow Jesus, we can trust He has our best interest at heart.
I pray we all hear Jesus asking us to follow Him. I pray we trust Him to lead us where we need to go. I pray each one of us will choose to follow Him into the unknown. Hear the call of Jesus. Follow His lead. Go where He asks. Trust Jesus. Give Him your life.
Matthew 9:9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
Marty Pressey 