Following Jesus in 2015

I’m intrigued by the way Jesus called his disciples. In every Gospel account, Jesus called them using two short words: “Follow me.” That is, don’t look back; don’t say you want to first bury your dead, or try out the oxen you purchased; don’t say goodbye to your family. Rather, follow me. So many of us today, however, think Jesus is saying, “Why don’t you try following me two or three days a week, and see how it feels?… See if it works for you.” Friend, you can’t follow Jesus bit by bit, testing the waters to see if you can handle it. There is no such thing as following Jesus incrementally. Our Savior says in Luke chapter 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” So on this last Sunday of 2014, join me in putting your hand to the plow and making strides forward into the New Year – together let’s follow Jesus wholeheartedly!