Come, Be Following Me

Our English translations don’t always get the point across in Scripture, and that’s not because of outright malicious intent on the part of the translators. Hebrew is read from right to left, and Greek is also grammatically strange compared to English.

Translators will often use easier language in favor of keeping the spirit of the text alive, instead of the literal translation. This is fine practice, and I’m not denigrating it whatsoever.

But we miss the nuances of the text when we use this method, and a fitting example is found in the common phrases of Jesus which have to do with following Him.

The literal translation is more often: Come and be following me. The literal translation is far more present tense than our typical English translation.

“Jesus saith to him, `If him I will to remain till I come, what—to thee? Be thou following me.’ This word, therefore, went forth to the brethren that that disciple doth not die.” (John 21:22 [YLT]).

“… and having heard these things, Jesus said to him, `Yet one thing to thee is lacking; all things—as many as thou hast—sell, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, be following me;’” (Luke 18:22 [YLT]).

There are other instances in the gospels where this is stated, but the point is, there is a far more present-tense aspect to following Jesus.

We can consider this a constant admonition to follow our King and His ways. The rich young man was told to sell his possessions and be following Jesus. I don’t think Jesus meant for him to sell everything, as literally stated, but it seems to be hyperbole. Also, the YLT seems to show He meant selling things from all categories, not that he must sell each of his things.

Or, even if the common interpretation is taken here, the point is he trusted in riches over God. This story comes right after the Pharisee and tax collector parable, making it a poetic addendum to the principle of trusting your own righteousness over having the humility to trust in Yahweh alone for His grace. Riches, pride, vanity, or other things often get in our way.

There are many righteous wealthy people in Scripture who obviously had no problem giving to those in need. His identity was in his wealth, rather than in Jesus.

What does it mean to be following Jesus?

It means keeping the Torah of the New Covenant, and Jesus’s commandments, which are the original spirit of the covenant at Sinai millennia ago.

We’re not sacrificing Passover lambs and letting animals take our sins.

We’re not farming in agrarian society most of the time. And even if someone is a farmer, that doesn’t mean those laws apply outside of the land of Israel.

We aren’t justified by anything in the Levitical Covenant.

Jesus justifies us in the New Covenant, being the High Priest after Melchizedek. This priesthood has nothing to do with sacrificing animals repeatedly. It has nothing to do with ritual purity based on Leviticus, either.

Jesus often went around Temple purity standards, cleansing lepers and reaching out to the sick. The woman with the issue of blood was told her faith had made her well.

To be following Jesus, we serve others and show them His love and teach the same.

To be following Jesus, we don’t get wrapped up in fights about commands that don’t apply outside of a theocratic monarchy.

It is impossible to keep the Torah’s ceremonial laws today, and since Levi is less than Melchizedek, it is subservient to that priesthood by way of our Messiah.

There is value in studying the Torah, and Christians of all sects should familiarize themselves with the opening books of the Old Covenant. All Scripture is great for correction and training in righteousness.

But fighting about these things isn’t fruitful, and Paul often admonished us to not have useless fights about the Torah.

There are Christians who eat pork bacon.

There are Christians who don’t.

There are movements obsessed with multiple wives, and there are men who are happy with one woman. God’s ideal is one man and woman, but He allowed a secondary form of marriage after the fall of man. I’m not here to judge, just making an observation.

Some people say we can only “be following” Jesus if we only observe the seven Feasts of the LORD. But most of these days can’t be observed the way intended in our era. We are mostly throwing a little party or having good food. Remember, these same people lie through their teeth about Christmas and Easter, Halloween, and everything else. The Bible doesn’t mention these holidays, but it also doesn’t mention iPhones. Are they now sinful?

You can't accidentally commit idolatry. It is a conscious effort.

The Torah is good, and holy. But it doesn’t always apply based upon external factors, as well as the time. The Torah has changed many times, such as the Tabernacle, to the Temple.

There used to be a couple of laws to follow in the Garden of Eden, then there were many added upon as time went on.

These are eternal truths, but not necessarily applicable in a New Covenant apart from a Temple system.

Regarding “be following Me,” we also do this by having perfect faith in our God. Our emunah (Hebrew: trust and solid faith in God’s faithfulness instead of intellectual assertion) must be greater than flipping a light switch on in a dark room. If we fall off a cliff, we should trust that He’ll catch us (not being literal, it’s hyperbole).

To be following Jesus is our response to God’s actions on the cross, and His resurrection. The New Covenant has a Torah for it, and the Old Covenant had a Torah for it, too.

These are some observations I’ve made from understanding following Jesus doesn’t mean bondage to manmade traditions, harder yokes from times of yore, or forcing an Ancient Near Eastern view on modern culture.

Following Jesus is an active part of our faith, but not only done by “doing.” It’s about having a relationship with Him.

“Be following” Jesus in the present moment, tomorrow, and forevermore.