How Do I Follow Jesus

Have you ever found yourself asking, “How do I follow Jesus?” That is an important question to be sure, but coming up with the correct answer is not as easy as it may appear. It is easy to set off on a course and find yourself far from the Master. As you read this Gospel, pay attention to how the disciples come to understand how they are to follow Jesus.

How Do I Follow Jesus

Gospel - Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples

and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out

and to cure every disease and every illness.

The names of the Twelve Apostles are these:

first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;

James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

Philip and Bartholomew,

Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;

James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;

Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot

who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,

"Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"

Scriptural Analysis

Jesus has already pointed out a problem: insufficient laborers for God’s kingdom. In response, Jesus now appoints twelve apostles. This is intended to recall the twelve tribes of Israel. In doing this, Jesus is making it known that his Kingdom represents a new Israel with these twelve men playing central roles. The number twelve also brings to mind the trouble leaders who assisted Moses, “These were the ones chosen from the congregation, the leaders of their ancestral tribes, the heads of the clans of Israel.” (Numbers 1:16) As Jesus is the new Moses, he also has twelve apostles to help him carry out his mission,

Matthew highlights that Jesus gave these Apostles authority. This is a significant point in his Gospel. Jesus has already demonstrated his power through his healings and exorcisms. Now he gives the Apostles a share in that authority. They are to preach, heal, and drive out demons. The title Apostle means those who are sent under the authority of those who sent them.

Matthew lists the Apostles. The first four who had been previously listed were Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Simone, who is called Peter, is not simply first in order, but because of his rank. Of the next six, only Matthew had been previously identified. Simon the Cananean is also mentioned only here. His title "the Cananean" describes one who is zealous for the law. Finally, Judas Iscariot is mentioned last, indicating his betrayal of Jesus.

Initially, Jesus focuses the mission of the Apostles on the Jewish population. He instructs them not to go into pagan territory or a Samaritan town. In doing this, he demonstrates God’s faithfulness to his people. Israel was the nation called by God and given the covenant, and they are the first to hear the Gospel. The Apostles will follow this template after Pentecost, first reaching the Jewish people and then the Gentiles.

Jesus continues with the metaphor he established in the last chapter, referring to the people as the lost sheep of Israel. The Apostles will now serve as the shepherds of those people. They will do what the leaders should have been doing but had failed to do: tend to the sheep and lead them to their messiah. They will proclaim the same message that John the Baptist proclaimed: the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Daily Application

Far too often, when we answer the question “how do I follow Jesus,” we come up with a list of things we believe we need to do. While much of what we come up with is probably good and holy, it is not the way to answer that question. Look at the sending of the Apostles in this Gospel. Did the disciples come up with a plan for what they were to do? No, they said yes to Jesus and followed his plan.

Following Jesus does not require us to have all the answers; it allows us to develop our plan for what that means. Following Jesus is as simple as saying to the Lord, “Here I am. I want to follow you.” All we need is a firm desire in our hearts to follow Him. Nothing more. He does not expect us to show up with all the answers, but instead just to show up. He will guide us. He will tell us what to do. He will put those people we are to minister to in our lives at the right place and time.

If you are holding back in any way in your yes to the Lord because you don’t yet know what to do, today is the day to stop and say yes to Jesus. That is all he asks of us. That is all the disciples, simple men, were able to give him. A yes with no hesitation and no holding back. That is enough. He will take our simple yes and develop it into a plan that will produce much fruit.