Today we start a new series on the characters we find in the Gospels. Some will be familiar, some less familiar, but all have something to teach us about faith and character. Today it is Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, whom Jesus called while they were fishing for a living - "Come, follow me..." (Matthew 4:19)

These words, "Follow me," take me back to my time at Acadia University. There was a librarian there at the time, John, who was very eccentric. He dressed about 15 years out-of-date and his grey, thinning hair never laid flatly or neatly against his head. There were a few times I had to consult him about finding a book. "Follow me," he said. Except, he dragged out the syllables with a deep bass tone, "Follooooooow meeeee." At that, he would start off in the direction of the lost book, talking mainly to himself about the section where it was located. Amazingly, John knew where everything was without ever looking at the signs. Following John always meant we would find the book, and that the journey would be an interesting one.

The words "follow me" imply something about leaders and followers. For starters, leaders need to be worth following. That is, they know the destination and have a plan to get there. They have knowledge, skill, expertise and experience. They set an example for others. They have strength of character and integrity so that their followers trust them. And people recognize their leadership at an appropriate level. Jesus was all of this and more.

Followers follow. This sounds simple, but try leading something and we quickly discover that some people want to try their own ideas or lead for themselves. Others don't want to be led. Some try but can't seem to get it right even when we explain it carefully. Followers who don't follow aren't following. Call it disobedience, ambition, stubbornness, or ignorance, but it is not following.

Followers need a guide. We can't get there because we lack the knowledge, experience, ability, or desire. And so we need to follow the actions or directions of someone who can take us where we need to go.

Jesus spoke the words "Follow me" to Simon and Andrew that day, and he also speaks them to us. He is a worthy leader, but will we follow? Admitting we need a guide is not easy. Even after we submit our hearts to Jesus for salvation, we harbour bits of pride and independence which make it hard for us to follow. Followers need humility.

"Follow me," Jesus says. Two simple words, but packed with meaning. "Follow" - not disobey, not lead ahead of Him, not be stubborn, not try to do it my way. "Me" - Jesus, not my way but his. Not the church, not anyone else, but Jesus.

I hope this helps. Be On Fire,

Troy

Jan 1, 2007.