Follow JESUS the Good Shepherd

"Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” John 21:22 (NKJV)"

After having breakfast by the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loves Him just as Peter had denied Him three times. In so doing, Jesus restored Peter and charged him to "Feed My lambs", "Tend My sheep" and "Feed My sheep". Then Jesus prophesied the manner of Peter's death to the glory of God and exhorted Peter to follow Him.

That said and done with, Peter ventured to ask Jesus what would happen to John -- is he going to die for being a follower of Jesus, too? Jesus did not answer Peter's question. Instead Jesus reminded Peter to follow Him; to focus on his life's mission to be a follower of Christ.

For sure, Jesus, who knows all things, would know what will happen to John. Perhaps it was not the time to reveal the matter. In any case, it was His prerogative to keep what needs to be hidden for the moment.

We. too, can be like Peter by wanting to know what will happen to other believers in their walk of faith. Following from Jesus's discourse with Peter, we can surmise that our walk of faith is personal to us and we are to keep following the steps and the path He leads us.

When we follow and serve Jesus: He will make us "fishers of men" (Mark 1:17); we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23); we shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John 8:12); we will be with Him and His Father will honour (John 12:26); and experience the fullness of Psalms 23.

To be approved by God the Father, we need to follow Jesus and do whatever He tells us to do. When they ran out of wine during a wedding at Cana of Galilee, Mary told the servants, " Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5) Lo and behold, after those servants have filled the six waterpots, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece, with water just as Jesus said to do, the water was turned into wine of exquisite quality.

Would we hear His voice as a servant and follow Him? Can we be like those servants who filled the waterpots to the brim? Can we be like servant Caleb? "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. Numbers 14:24 (NKJV)"

As we trust and obey the Good Shepherd, our walk will be pleasing to Him. We will then know who we are and whose we are. Remember the words of Jesus, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (NKJV)"

It is crucial for us to obey what the LORD has told us to do specifically. The account of the prophet in 1 Kings 13 is a sombre reminder. The LORD's instruction to him was: "You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came." 

When King Jeroboam entreated the prophet to eat and drink, he remained steadfast to the the Word of the LORD. But, an older prophet came to the prophet and said: "I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (He was lying to him.)" 

Because of his disobedience to the Word of the LORD, the prophet was consequently killed by a lion. Click here to read the full account in 1 Kings 13.

God still speaks today. Just yesterday, while browsing over some books in City Harvest Church before the service, I saw Pastor Edmund and felt prompted to approach him to ask for his blog address which I had heard of months ago during one of his sharing in a prayer meeting. 

However, I disobeyed the voice of God and missed the golden opportunity for an aspiring writing like me. God is gracious. He confirmed His prompting when Pastor Kong Hee called Pastor Edmund during the service  to give a testimony. Pastor Edmund shared on how the LORD has blessed him through his blog and writings for honouring (obeying) Him in tithing and givings. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. His call for us today is still, "Follow Me".


P/s: I am reading "Surprised By The Voice of God" by Jack Deere and you may find it helpful in your desire to hear the voice of God. Click here to view. 

Jack Deere (Th.D). formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a writer and lecturer who speaks throughout the world on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of the best-selling book, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. Deere lives with his wife and three children in Whitefish, Montana.