Someone said, “From an empty tomb to an empty pew.” Meaning, the week after Easter might not break any attendance records, but the disciples of Jesus follow Him.
That’s it. No matter what.
Jesus experienced some dwindling crowds too:
John 6:60-61 says, “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?”
And a few verses later, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?”
I don’t know all the reasons some people do not follow Jesus. If only they knew who Jesus was!
I suspect the fairweather friends of Jesus were there for the miracles, there for the healings, there for the food. But were they there for Jesus?
Boy, did they miss out when they walked away.
Jesus asked his closest followers, “Will ye also go away?”
And I like Peter’s response, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
If someone asks, “Why do you do so much church stuff?” don’t rattle off a list of nice things. It’s not, “Well, the kids like it, and I like the hymns, and the people are nice…”
What happens if we transplant our church to the days of the apostles, when they were killed for their faith? When they had no nice church amenities? “Will ye also go away?”
No, Lord. Where would we go? You alone have the words of life.
Let’s follow Jesus. –Pastor Ryan