“A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.” John 6:2 (NLT)
What drives people to follow Jesus? Some are just curious. They want to hear what He has to say, then pick and choose whatever fits their beliefs or lifestyle. Others follow Jesus for what He has to offer: healing, provision, and protection.
Few are those who follow Jesus purely out of love.
This truth gives me pause.
Why do I follow Jesus? Can I say with certainty that intimacy with God supersedes any other reason, especially in my time of need? Does the Giver mean more to me than the gift? Does the Healer matter more to me than the healing?
If God were to strip away everything as He did with Job, would I still follow Him regardless?
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet will I rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
(Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Even though – yet will I rejoice in the LORD, I will take joy in the God of my salvation. May that be our heart’s desire and the foremost reason we follow Him!