Following Jesus

January 4, 2008 | Filed Under gospel |

I have been trying to read the Gospels lately with fresh eyes. In doing so I have struggled with where we put the emphasis on what it means to be a Christian in light of the language of Jesus. In only one passage do we find the phrase “born again” used by Jesus. In the dialogue with Nicodemus Jesus states that for a person to see the Kingdom of God he must be “born again.” Hence, the doctrine of regeneration.

I certainly do not want to minimize the supernatural, transforming work of the Holy Spirit in the process of becoming a new creation. Furthermore, I am aware of other passages such as Ezek. 36:26 and Eph. 2:1-5 found elsewhere in Scripture that reflect the doctrine of regeneration, but I ask where is the serious consideration in evangelical circles for the words of Jesus in the following Gospel passages?

Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 8:22
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Matthew 9:9
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

Matthew 10:38
“… and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mark 1:20
Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Mark 2:14
As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

Mark 8:34
He called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Luke 5:27
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him.”

Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 14:27
“And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

Luke 18:22
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 10:27
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 12:26
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 21:22
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”