Will Jesus follow you? Week 23, 2010

“Everywhere I go, everywhere I go, Jesus will follow me, everywhere I go. Everywhere I go…” who taught you that song Chris? It doesn’t sound right. “Don’t you like it? It’s a faith builder.” Well I seem to remember Jesus said My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Jn 10:27(KJV) that song turns things the other way round to make me lead and Jesus follow! “Semantics! Did Jesus not say:and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age Mat 28:20(GNB). ” Nowhere does scripture say Jesus will follow you, He said He will be with you… “Did Jesus not follow Jairus to his house?” Read it properly friend: Jairus arrived. When he saw Jesus, he … begged him urgently, saying, "My little daughter is dying. Come …" So Jesus went with him Mk 5:22-24(ISV). Jesus may be with you, go with you; but certainly not follow you. Mary learned this lesson with tears when she assumed Jesus would follow her back from Jerusalem. “Eh, after that He followed her home.” No! Wrong again. He went with her. Lk 2:42-51.
“So what’s the difference? I will just sing “Jesus will be with me everywhere I go”. Plain semantics.” No, my dear even then you may still not be correct. In the scripture you have quoted Jesus first of all said to them: Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples Mat 28:19(GNB) and then promised that as they go (that is as they obey His command), He will be with them. You can only be certain Jesus is with you when you go as He has asked you.
“But God is everywhere…” Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight? If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there Ps39:7, 8(CEV). Is that your reasoning? Do you remember what God told Joshua? I cannot help you anymore until you do exactly what I have said Jos 7:12(CEV). God is everywhere I know, but His presence and power are guaranteed only in obedience. You see we have to ask the question: “Who takes the lead? You or Jesus” God is not like money you know.
“Should I then be idle and do nothing?” God abhors laziness. It is not laziness to try to learn what pleases the Lord. Eph 5:10(GNB). We must avoid doing anything we feel like, expecting God’s support.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me. And where I am, there my servant will also be." Jn 12:26 (ISV)