Monday of the Third Week of Easter
There were large crowds that followed Jesus throughout His ministry. Some followed Him to learn more about His teachings. Some were intrigued by the wonders and signs. Still others were hoping that He would bring their nation glory and success over the Roman Rule. So, why do we follow Him? Is it fear, curiosity, greed, conformity- or a deep desire to know God and His love and to bring that same love to others?
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus has just multiplied the loaves for the multitudes, and then walked across the sea to meet up with His disciples on the other side. The crowd that was present at the multiplication of the loaves wonders where Jesus has gone, since He did not leave with the disciples in the only boat that was on the shore. So, the crowd follows Jesus and finds Him on the other side of the sea. Jesus recognizes that the crowd is not seeking Him because they want to follow Him as disciples, but they are more interested in the miracles that Jesus has demonstrated. It is their curiosity and their desire for material things that appears to drive them to follow Jesus across the sea.
This scripture made me pause and reflect on why do I follow Jesus? Do I follow Him and His ways because I am afraid that if I don’t I will not earn eternal life? Do I follow Him because I want to be like others and be a part of the crowd? Do I hope that by following Jesus I can get what I want- whether it be material goods or a life that always works out my way? Or am I like the people in the crowd, I follow after Jesus to waiting to see what other sign or wonder He might perform.
Jesus wants us to be more than followers- He wants us to be His disciples. As a disciple, Jesus invites us not only to imitate Him in His words and deeds, but more importantly, Jesus invites us into a relationship of love. The love that Jesus shares flows from the Father’s love for Him. Jesus wants us to know that He was sent by His Father to share this love. Jesus does “the work of God” when we believe in Him, and when we have faith in Jesus- we follow Him as His disciples.
To follow Jesus because of love can be the only true basis for a follower of Christ. We do not follow Him out of fear of eternal damnation, since we know that He desires to be with us always (even until the end of time.) As a disciple we participate in community, but we do not do this just so we can “belong”, but because we share love for one another as we walk together with Jesus. We know that Jesus’ love and mercy is present both in poverty and blessings, and therefore whatever state of life we find ourselves, we know that Jesus is present.
So why do I follow Jesus?-because His life and love give my life reason and purpose. I follow Jesus because He shows me how to live and how to love. As His follower, I do not expect my life to be easier or without pain, but I do believe that He will accompany me every step along the way. Jesus has shown me that if I follow Him, the difficulties, suffering and even death can be overcome and transformed through the grace of His Spirit. Every thought, action and word of my life becomes a vehicle to share in the ministry of Christ with those around me. Just like Jesus I can do “the work of God” by helping others to find meaning and joy through faith in Jesus and God’s love for them.
I invite every individual to spend time in prayer reflecting on “why do I follow Jesus?” As we examine our faith, may we grow in our trust of Him and His life within us. May the Spirit of God help us to “see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, and follow Him more nearly- day by day.”
Father, Your Son Jesus reveals Your love for us as He calls us to follow Him. Pour down Your Spirit so we can follow Jesus every day and share Your love and grace with this world that is in such great need. We pray this through Christ our LORD. Amen.
Marylynn Herchline