"And they follow me."
- John 10:27
We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their
shepherd, for he has a right to lead us wherever he pleases. We are not
our own, we are bought with a price-let us recognize the rights of the
redeeming blood. The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his
master, much more must we follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased
possession. We are not true to our profession of being Christians, if we
question the bidding of our Leader and Commander. Submission is our duty,
cavilling is our folly. Often might our Lord say to us as to Peter, "What
is that to thee? Follow thou me." Wherever Jesus may lead us, he goes
before us. If we know not where we go, we know with whom we go. With such
a companion, who will dread the perils of the road? The journey may be
long, but his everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The presence of
Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation, because he lives, we shall
live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the
paths in which he leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true
they may not be smooth paths-they may be covered with sharp flinty trials,
but they lead to the "city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker
is God." "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep
his covenant." Let us put full trust in our Leader, since we know that,
come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt,
his purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled
good to every heir of mercy. We shall find it sweet to go up the bleak
side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces,
his dear love will make us far more blest than those who sit at home and
warm their hands at the world's fire.
To the top of Amana, to the dens of lions, or to the hills of leopards,
we will follow our Beloved.
Precious Jesus, draw us, and we will run after thee.
