Gleam of morning of 09/11/2016 : Follow Jesus - By Paul Calzada

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"If anyone would come after me, he must follow me" (Mark 8.34).

 

Following Jesus is obviously a language of image, because Jesus is no longer on earth. We can not keep physically. To follow Jesus is to enter a form of imitation of his person, his character, his works. It's follow his example.

I liked the book bearing the title : What would Jesus do in my place. This book is the imaginary story of a succession of upheavals that have occurred in the Maxwell pastor of the community. One day the pastor Maxwell offers members of the Assembly to commit to doing nothing for a whole year, without asking questions first : What would Jesus do in my place. What remarkable things have happened !

Following Jesus means accepting contempt, rejection, and even unjust judgment of others without rebelling ; is to see in the other, whoever he is, God's image ; This is not to judge others by appearances; is to be humble ; is letting the religious conformity, forms and appearances to get to the heart of faith. It's not love God when all is well only, but it is also love when everything goes wrong, when the days are evil ; is to be happy in abundance, but also in want. This is a most extraordinary program !

The Gospel presents various ways to follow Jesus. His twelve disciples follow him closely, they live in privacy. This is after the time and then abandon it, "many of his disciples went back, and they did more with him" (John 6.66). There are those who followed him to gain advantage because he worked miracles, "A great multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did" (John 6.2).
Sometimes it can get us to follow Jesus, but by far, releasing our intimacy with him. This is what Peter did when Jesus was arrested, "Peter followed him far into the interior of the courtyard of the high priest" (Mark 14.54). We know that this distance was suitable for denial.

How do you follow Jesus ? Why do you follow ? Did you take a little distance from him ? If you follow it from afar or if you follow it to gain advantage, it does not condemn you. It invites you with love to follow without fear. He looks upon you as he landed on Peter to invite you to come closer to him.

My prayer on this day :

I invite you to the words of this song : "After I want to follow you, in the good the bad days, to you to die and live with you Jesus for ever." Amen !

Paul Calzada