The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 1:43,
"The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.'"
Early in John's gospel, in the first chapter, we are introduced to a few of the men that followed Jesus Christ. In that chapter we read of two of John the Baptist's disciples, one of whom was Andrew (Peter's brother). We see that Andrew brought his brother, Peter, to meet the Lord. Next we meet Philip in the chapter, to whom Jesus said, "Follow me." Afterward, Philip found Nathanel, who was stunned to learn that Jesus knew things about him that no ordinary person would know.
These men followed Jesus and it is what Jesus told Philip that catches my eye this morning, "Follow me." There are four verses in John's gospel that record Jesus telling his listeners to follow him and another verse where Jesus observes that those who belong to him, his servants, must follow him.
Jesus told his listeners that his sheep follow him, John 10:27. In John 12:26 Jesus said that those who serve him must follow him. Additionally, Jesus told Peter to follow him twice, John 21:19 and John 21:22 ("Follow me!", "You must follow me.")
Although John's two disciples asked Jesus where he was staying, verse 38, and Jesus invited them to come and see, following Jesus has a transcendent metaphysical context. We read in verse 43 that Jesus decided to leave Bethany on the Jordan for Galilee. When he told Philip to follow him, it meant far more than just the 4 day trip it would take.
The term "follow", used by the NIV in the passages cited above, is defined by Merriam-Webster (in addition to the simple meaning) as: "to engage in as a calling or way of life", "to be or act in accordance with", "to accept as authority : OBEY", "to seek to attain", to "imitate", "watch steadily, to keep the mind on, to attend to closely, to understand the sense or logic of".
"The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.'"
Early in John's gospel, in the first chapter, we are introduced to a few of the men that followed Jesus Christ. In that chapter we read of two of John the Baptist's disciples, one of whom was Andrew (Peter's brother). We see that Andrew brought his brother, Peter, to meet the Lord. Next we meet Philip in the chapter, to whom Jesus said, "Follow me." Afterward, Philip found Nathanel, who was stunned to learn that Jesus knew things about him that no ordinary person would know.
These men followed Jesus and it is what Jesus told Philip that catches my eye this morning, "Follow me." There are four verses in John's gospel that record Jesus telling his listeners to follow him and another verse where Jesus observes that those who belong to him, his servants, must follow him.
Jesus told his listeners that his sheep follow him, John 10:27. In John 12:26 Jesus said that those who serve him must follow him. Additionally, Jesus told Peter to follow him twice, John 21:19 and John 21:22 ("Follow me!", "You must follow me.")
Although John's two disciples asked Jesus where he was staying, verse 38, and Jesus invited them to come and see, following Jesus has a transcendent metaphysical context. We read in verse 43 that Jesus decided to leave Bethany on the Jordan for Galilee. When he told Philip to follow him, it meant far more than just the 4 day trip it would take.
The term "follow", used by the NIV in the passages cited above, is defined by Merriam-Webster (in addition to the simple meaning) as: "to engage in as a calling or way of life", "to be or act in accordance with", "to accept as authority : OBEY", "to seek to attain", to "imitate", "watch steadily, to keep the mind on, to attend to closely, to understand the sense or logic of".
As you can see, as we think of being followers of Jesus Christ, there are some considerations that need tending to.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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