Come, Follow Me

In Luke chapter 18 (KJV), a disciple asks Jesus, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus' response: “Keep all the commandments.”

The man, a “certain ruler,” says, “All these things have I kept from my youth up.” This is not a small thing. He was a good man, and a devoted disciple.

Jesus instructed him further: the man needed to sell all of his belongings and give the proceeds to the poor. He needed to turn his heart toward helping others. And he was invited to “Come, follow me.” What an invitation! Many of us would give anything to follow Jesus and be with him every day.

But this disciple couldn't do that. He was unable to let go of the things he loved today in order to have the greater blessings that Jesus offered him.

In contrast, at the end of the same chapter, a blind man is begging on the roadside. When the blind man heard the multitude pass by, he asked what was happening. The people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was coming.

The blind man cried out saying, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” The people rebuked the blind man, wanting him to leave Jesus alone. But the blind man called out with greater fervor, “Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

“And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying, what wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?”

The blind man said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

“And immediately he received his sight … and followed Jesus, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”

The blind man left all he had to become a close disciple of Jesus. It may not seem like much of a sacrifice because he had been blind and was clearly poor. But he left his family. He left his habits. He left the new opportunities he might have had because he could now see. He had a desire to become like Jesus by being with Jesus.

The real question is this: will we also follow Jesus? How do we follow Jesus today? What can we do to be more of a disciple of Jesus? Are we willing to consecrate our lives and modify our habits so we can do Jesus's will and His work?

Discipleship is not just about believing. It is about doing. Changing. Being the people Jesus' commandments teach us to be. Is it possible to change a habit? Do we need a shift in friends? Can we spend more time studying His Word? Do we help the poor? Do we serve our families?

I testify that as we seek Jesus, he will be with us. The more closely we align our lives with His doctrine, the more closely we will find Him near us. He not only walks next to us, but He sustains us. He prompts us. He protects us. He shows us a better path forward in every aspect of our lives as we humbly seek His guidance and follow His commandments.

I promise that following Jesus opens the doors to the most beautiful life imaginable. Even more beautiful than the Alaskan Summer. I encourage you to seek Jesus, make the changes He asks you to make, and enjoy the bounty of His goodness every day.

Beth Wright enjoys music, hiking, gardening, reading and loves her life as a wife, grandma and mom. She tries every day to be a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, and loves being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.