Follow Jesus!

One of my favourite paintings is called "The Parable of the Blind" by Pieter Bruegel.  Painted in 1568, I find the attention to detail and profound symbolism striking.  When Jesus and his followers were criticised by the Pharisees, Jesus saw no need to fight with them.  The painting is an illustration of what Jesus says in Matthew 15:14, "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Who you trust and choose to follow is very important.  There are many people who can see with their physical eyes but are spiritually blind, unable to discern the truth.  The Pharisees substituted the traditions of men for the commandments of God.  They were blind guides who led many to destruction.

A teacher can only take a student as far as he knows.  Exceptional students who desire complete mastery over their subject seek to be taught by experts.  Someone who aspires to be a physicist will need more than rudimentary knowledge of algebra.  The same can be said of martial arts or sport.  A weekend warrior with relatively no experience will not be a suitable coach to prepare people to play at a professional level.  A grand master has the knowledge and ability that enables him to teach and train others to a high level.  The sensei a man decides to train under will be a large determining factor in his ultimate success.  In the Hebrew culture, the rabbi a man followed would influence his beliefs, interpretation, and philosophy.  A man's spiritual progression, wisdom, and status depended largely on the rabbi he followed.  It is imperative, therefore, to choose and follow the best rabbi - not just anyone who will take you on as a student.

When John the Baptist began preaching and baptising people, he gained a following among the Jews.  He had many followers who were faithful adherents to his teachings.  John was a prophet sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah, the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.  He singled out Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.  The identity of Jesus as the Messiah was revealed to John after he baptised Him.  The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended and landed on Jesus as a voice spoke from heaven, "This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:17)  John 1:35-37 reads, "Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. ³⁶ And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" ³⁷ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus."  When I read this I thought, here are two men who really understood what John the Baptist had been saying.  They got it!  But even after John claimed Jesus was the Son of God, there were many men who continued to follow John.  Their loyalty to John hindered their growth because a man greater than John had come.  After John pointed out Jesus as the Christ, those who were wise left John and followed Jesus instead.

As Christians, it is imperative and paramount that we follow Jesus Christ.  There are no shortage of people to follow or causes to embrace.  Plenty of people will have you if you will have them!  Unless Jesus is the one we follow, we follow a blind guide.  Unfortunately blind guides have continued to multiply over the years, drawing people away from biblical truth.  Never give your allegiance to a preacher, author, philosopher, philanthropist, actor, musician, or to any person other than Jesus Christ.  A man can only truly follow one master.  Our loyalty cannot be divided.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  He is the only one who has the words of life.