March 12, 2008

“Follow the Leader”

Did you ever play the children’s game called Follow the Leader? The point of that game is to learn about being a good follower. Being a Christian is all about being a good follower – a follower of Jesus. It seems there are a million books about leadership these days, but I am convinced that what we really need is to be a good follower. Leadership is important, but so is what we might call “followership” (discipleship).

The Gospels remind us that there were many who were unable to follow Jesus, or it might be more accurate to say that they were “almost followers of Jesus.” In each case, Jesus issued them a challenge, which they could not or would not accept. I can name three such persons:

1. The rich young man in Mark 10:17-22 – he could not give up his possessions in order to follow Jesus, because he was “possessed by his possessions.” The challenge of Jesus: be a giver, but he could not give up his wealth, so he could not follow Jesus
2. The man in Matthew 8:21-22 who wanted to spend more time in grief and who responded, “Let me go home first and bury my father.” Jesus’ response seems harsh, “Let the dead bury the dead, come and follow me.” In Jewish culture, burial takes place before sundown the day of the death, so this man is probably talking about the typical 30-day mourning period after the actual burial. The challenge of Jesus: let go of your grief and move on. But this man wanted to hold onto his grief, rather than be healed of his grief, so he would not follow Jesus.
3. The Pharisee Simon in Luke 7:36-50 who was very upset that Jesus offered forgiveness and acceptance to a prostitute. The challenge of Jesus: to rejoice over those who are accepting God’s forgiveness. Levi could not extend forgiveness to anyone who seemed unworthy, so he could not follow Jesus.

The point of these examples is simple and yet profound. This season of Lent and Easter reminds us to examine ourselves, to see where we are “almost” following Jesus, and to learn the spiritual art of followership.

May it be so.

from Bishop Michael J. Coyner
Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church

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