Who do you follow?

Jesus told his followers repeatedly that he, and he alone, was whom they should follow. Jesus never told anyone to follow someone other than himself. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."

In Jesus' parable of The Sheep, Gate and Shepherd, Jesus likens his followers to sheep and himself, their shepherd. But Jesus goes even further and speaking metaphorically, tells them that not only is he their shepherd, but also the "gate"—the only gate—through which they can enter into the "pasture," referring literally to the kingdom of God. Jesus says, "I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture." (John 10:9)

Jesus also made it clear that while following him would come at great cost, it would also bring great reward. He said, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?" (Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-37; Luke 9:23-25)

Those following Jesus during his time on earth were well aware of the sacrifice they were making, but Jesus reassured them. Consider this exchange between Peter and Jesus in Mark 10:28-31 (see also, Luke 18:28-30):

"Peter began to tell him, 'Behold, we have left all, and have followed you.' Jesus said, 'Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last first.'"

And Jesus continued to reassure them, and subsequently us today, that our reward for faithfully following him would be great:

"Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12)

"If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." (John 12:26)

Jesus told us that following him would come at great cost, but he also told us:

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."(Matthew 11:28-30)

Following Jesus is simple. His words are clear and true. Obeying his commandments brings order and honor to our lives. Jesus is THE way, the ONLY way.