Yeshua Says, “Follow Me”

When Yeshua called His disciples or when He proclaimed the Good News… often the translations have Him saying, “Follow Me.” 

Why are two seemingly simple words so powerful? What can we do to impart that truth and message to ourselves and others? Join us as we find out…

Powerful Words

When most people say, “follow me,” there is not a great deal of wonder. It does not stir the heart. And it is lacking in power. 

However, when our Messiah, Yeshua, says, “Follow Me,” that is a different matter. It is full of wonder, stirring the heart in anticipation, and teaching us that He Who speaks it is filled with authority. When Yeshua says to someone, “Follow Me,” there is a reaction. Often causing the one who heard Him to immediately follow…

Those Yeshua called to be disciples heard these powerful words and they reacted! Yes, they knew He was a Rabbi, and considering the honor being called by a rabbi was, it is possible they would have followed anyway. But there was something different about this. They were not ‘prepared’ for it in a traditional sense—they did not have the training in the Word that disciples were expected to have, let alone the ‘theological’ knowledge required. And there was no discussion or expectation before Yeshua told them to follow… in fact, He did not even provide details of what would happen if they followed Him. Just—with the calling of some disciples—that He would ‘make them fishers of men.’ And yet, they did not question it or Him. They just immediately dropped EVERYTHING and obeyed.

“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

“Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

—Matthew 4:18-22

This must have looked odd to those around them. 

People must have questioned why Yeshua chose them.

It must have been a shock to those who worked or knew these men to see them drop everything; to leave their livelihood in an instant!

Yes, to see it would certainly be odd in the natural; even foolish. But, in the Spirit, what happened was what was meant to happen. And their reaction to Yeshua, knowing Who He is, was perfectly sound and wise. 

Still, it is easy to overlook how powerful these words were. How ‘foolish’ the reaction of those who had ears to hear; leaving everything in a moment. 

“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.”

—Matthew 9:9

It is also easy to glance over the fact that there does not appear to be lack amongst those Yeshua called; each having jobs, the fishermen having boats and a ready supply of food; Matthew having a likely well-paying, if not generally liked, position. They were not following Yeshua because they lacked in the natural. They were following because there was something Yeshua’s Spirit brought, something that told them that they were missing something better!

Will We Follow Yeshua?

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

—John 10:27

Our Messiah, Yeshua, used the words, “Follow Me,” to more than just His disciples. He used those words in His ministry, pointing people in the direction that would lead them to the Kingdom of Heaven. And while some questioned what He was saying, or failed to understand… many laid down what they had and followed Yeshua without question. Without pause or hesitation.

Yet not all of these people—even those who followed—understood WHO Yeshua was. In fact, even His disciples acted as if they only had an inkling of the truth that Yeshua is the Son of God—despite Peter, with the Spirit working through him, speaking out that truth…

The number of people who knew in the natural was generally small, even after the resurrection. Yet, dozens responded to Yeshua’s words, “Follow Me,” with immediate, sold-out action…

However, if each of us were honest with ourselves, how many of us would immediately lay down everything and follow Yeshua?! How many of us, if during a workday we had Yeshua come up to us and say, “Follow Me,” would actually stand up from our jobs and walk out? Following Yeshua without even pausing to gather our belongings. Without hesitation? 

It is enough to make one weep. Because remember… in the natural, the disciples and those who followed Yeshua… they did not know that Yeshua was the Son of God! Their spirit man may have recognized Him… but the only thing they knew was that a man of God was asking them to follow. 

We have the benefit of knowing that Yeshua is God, yet would we still follow? Do we have enough trust to follow when we do not know where God is leading or know what even the next day may bring? Are we ready to “Follow Him?” Even if we do not see Him, or hear Him, or touch Him with our physical senses?

In the natural—in our flesh—our answer could easily be a no. There is a reason God sent His Spirit to live in us. There is a reason that we have to lean into Him. And it is only through God that we have the strength to say yes. To lay aside everything that we have or have worked for and be fully sold out to Him; to immediately set everything but Him aside!

As Believers, we all have said yes to following Yeshua, at least to an extent, but we need to lay aside our reservations. Our questions. Our ‘ifs.’ Our ‘laters.’ Our requirements.

All of these we have to lay aside if we are to immediately and truly leave everything to follow Him. But while it is not always easy, God is ready to help. He has prepared each of us far more than we realize; not as the world thinks we need to be prepared, but as He KNOWS we need to be. And when choosing to daily pick up our cross and follow Him, answering with a yes becomes easier; no matter if the tests and trials grow. But this acceptance of God’s request—of Yeshua saying, “Follow Me”—does more Kingdom good than we realize…

Because not only are we raised up. Others are raised up. God’s Light shines brighter, our testimony increases, and we point people in the right direction; to Yeshua and to the Kingdom of God!

If you are uncertain how to wholly follow Yeshua, or want to follow Him at a deeper level, then prayer plays an important part. You can let God guide you in your prayer, habits, and patterns. He will help you every step of the way!

However, if you are still uncertain, here is a prayer to start:

Yeshua, 

You have asked me to follow You. To not question it or restrict how I follow.

Yeshua, You know that this desire burns within my spirit too, and I ask that You would cause me to be open to You. To have the love, faith, and trust to follow after You without limits or questions or fear. 

Yeshua, have Your way in me. I love You. I have faith that You are God and that there is none beside You. And I trust You, with every aspect of my life. Help me to follow You, 

In Yeshua’s Name, Amen.

YOU CAN follow Yeshua!

YOU CAN do so at a deeper level than you are today!

YOU CAN do all things through Yeshua!