Friend or unfriend

What we call following today is totally different than what it meant years ago. Today we follow people on Facebook, twitter, and other social media platforms. We follow those who peak our interest or might be famous in some way. We follow ”friends” but we can also choose to unfriend them. In times past, to follow meant to actually go with someone. Maybe it was a leader like in the armed forces that you followed into battle or maybe it was a parent or someone you looked up to. Jesus had followers. They traveled with him everywhere he went. He healed many people and miraculously fed thousands with just a couple of fish and a loaf of bread. People followed him because they wanted to see miracles. They wanted to be entertained maybe or they may want to be healed themselves. Jesus would teach these followers as they traveled and he rarely got a break from the crowd. Even when grieving the loss of his cousin John the crowds came around. Then his teachings became harder. The subject matter began to prick the hearts and conscious of those around him. It was too hard for some. You see, unfriending isn’t new. They little by little began to leave Jesus. They wanted the miracles but not at the expense of them giving their lives to follow him. Jesus, seeing that the people were leaving him took his twelve closest friends to a nearby town where they could be alone and he asked them: Do you want to leave me too? Peter, the hotheaded fisherman stood up and said: Where else could we go? You have the words of eternal life! Peter was a true follower. A true friend. Yes, in a moment of weakness he will later deny knowing Jesus but if you look at his whole life Peter followed Jesus to his own death! Who do you follow? Do you follow Jesus? If so, is it for the miracles and answers to prayers? What if the answers come differently than how you wanted them to? What if he asks something of you that’s hard? Will you unfriend Jesus or continue to follow him? We will stumble like Peter. We are human. At the end of our lives though, when those we leave behind look at our lives will they be able to say that we followed Jesus? Dear Lord, I know that you will never leave us nor forsake us. Help us to do the same for you!!

Be the blessing in someone’s life today. They need it just like we do!