I was in a group study this week on the Gospel of Mark. Unlike the other gospels, Mark jumps right in beginning with the public ministry of Jesus. We were all amazed how at the simple call of Jesus to “Follow Me” the disciples dropped everything and followed.
We provided numerous “explanations”. Perhaps the word about Jesus had spread and these men had foreknowledge of all this Man was doing. Others suggested that they followed, knowing they could always “unfollow” later if things didn’t work out. People, this isn’t Facebook.
We all missed the most obvious explanation: Love at First Sight. I feel sorry for those who have never experienced the awesome, overwhelming feelings that come with meeting “the person” that was meant for you all along. I’ve had that experience. I know that explains the drop-everything response to “Follow Me.”
All the beauty of our world is but a reflection of the beauty of the Son Of God. That glory couldn’t have been well hidden when Jesus walked the world in human form. We know that he was not particularly physically handsome. There was, however, that special something that drew followers, committed, give-their-lives, leave-everything-else-behind followers.
It’s sad we don’t use that simple power of attraction to garner followers today. Why do we think we have to convince and arm-twist the lost to “come” to Jesus? Why do we insist on portraying Him as a pathetic long-suffering door-knocker hoping for some small sign of interest from the hell-bound? Why do we think it takes eloquent high volume and pitch sermons to change lives?
Maybe it’s because we don’t really “know” the Jesus of whom we speak. Maybe His power and glory aren’t what we carry. Maybe we haven’t fallen head-over-heels in love with the Savior. A man in love can’t, and doesn’t want, to hide it. It flows from his every act and word.
Maybe our world doesn’t fall in love with Jesus, because we haven’t.
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