Let him follow Me

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 8

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Let him follow Me

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” – John 12:26 (NKJV)

Going through this passage of Scripture ripped open me pretty deep and reminds me of the burden that was laid on my heart before I came to IGNITE.  I had a heaviness and this sense that I was not truly walking out my faith.  Yes, I was what could probably be considered a strong believer, and I had faith, but I wasn’t being very consistent in my daily life.  I still would find myself being borderline mechanical in reading my bible, going to youth group, attending church, and even leading the worship service at church.  I still was learning things, but wasn’t really applying them, except for an occasional item here and there that stuck out to me.  Like I said before, I had a sort of heaviness, even before hearing about IGNITE.  Thinking about it now, here at IGNITE after I have found freedom from it, I believe I was still wrestling with the mindset that I had to “earn” my salvation…I knew in my head that I didn’t have to, but still was walking as if I had to make up for the things I messed up in by doing something better.  I was trying to take more than just responsibility – more like I was, in a sense, in the sacrifice mindset. This wore me out physically, mentally, and spiritually, mainly because I was, once again, trying to do it on my own strength.  And, because it wasn’t working, the realization hit me that I needed to re-evaluate my faith.  The entire passage of John 12:23-28 is very applicable here, as Jesus talks about someone truly committing to Him.  Starting in verse 23: ²³But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.”  I wasn’t giving Christ the full glory in my life or letting Him have full control.  Continuing with 24, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”  I wasn’t dying to myself and was still trying to retain parts of other lifestyles that ended up hindering my spiritual productivity.  Onto 25… “²⁵He who loves his live will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”  This one went straight to my core when reading this…So often I cling to worldly material things, selfishly LOVING my life and having the mindset of “I.”  “²⁶ If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”  This is what I was NOT doing.  My walk wasn’t lining up with my talk, I was acting like two people at times, and I realized that if I am serious about my faith, I will passionately seek after the Lord, following steadily.  A true disciple followed wherever his master went, leaving everything behind, giving full devotion.  The fisherman dropped their nets and followed Jesus.  Verse 27 switches gears a little bit, where Jesus is talking directly to His Father about the future crucifixion, asking that the burden may in any way be removed from Him. He says “²⁷Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’?  But for this purpose I came to this hour.” Jesus finishes with the first part of verse 28, “²⁸Father, glorify Your name...” Jesus Christ, with all His power and glory, laid it aside and submitted to the will of His Father for the purpose to save a wretch like me, and give the ultimate glory to God.  This is the key… oh Lord God let this become my prayer – Father glorify Your name.  I want to hear the end of verse 28 – Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”

Application: Today I will help serve all the meals, and be one of the last people through the meal lines.