if we come to Jesus and follow him, he will lead us to the kingdom. There are two Greek words used in the gospel which express this point, deute and akoloutheo. By considering the passages where they are used, we find exhortation for the way to the kingdom and encouragement that there is hope for success in our walk.
Being yoked to him
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus implores those following him, “Come (deute) unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The Lord offers relief to those who have long struggled under the burden of sin. By placing his yoke upon our shoulders, we are joined in our struggle by one who knows our situation by his own experience. But please note, we become joined to him under his yoke. We cannot overcome sin through our own efforts, but we can battle sin in similar fashion to our Lord; he has shown us the way, and will help us through faith to win that battle, if we willingly yoke ourselves to him.
Invited to eternity
In Matthew 25:34 we read, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come (deute), ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” In this familiar passage the King, Jesus, rewards those who have cared for those needing help and do so without any concern for personal gain. In our day, we are too caught up in the distractions of life to notice the need of others. Those who do the small things are the ones who will receive the reward of eternal life. (I cannot convey to you how important your cards were to my family during my accident and convalescence, as well as to me. It was like a drink of cool water.)
Come to the empty tomb
In Matthew 28:5-6, the angel comforts the women who have come to the tomb of Jesus, saying, “I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come (deute), see the place where the Lord lay.” That invitation continues to go out today to all who seek the Lord Jesus Christ. He was not in the tomb at that time, nor is his body in the tomb today. He is risen, and sits at the right hand of the Father, watching closely over our efforts, seeking to help us. We know he is there.
Following with a cross
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after (akoloutheo) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” The same word is used when Jesus fills in details on this general command. A young man asks, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life.” Jesus responds, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow (akoloutheo) me.” Thus in Mark 8:34, Jesus refers to someone denying himself and picking up his cross; in Mark 10:21, the specific example is given. Having advised the young man to give up his earthly treasure, Jesus goes on to say, “Come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Isn’t that precisely what Jesus says in Matthew 25 concerning those who have submerged themselves in well-doing without even realizing what they have done?
Instruction to Philip
In John 1:43, Philip is told, “Follow (akoloutheo) me.” And he does. Interestingly enough, the next use of the word is found in John 10:27, where Jesus makes the plain statement, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Philip was one of the sheep. Later, when certain Greeks came to Philip, Jesus instructed him, “If any man serve me, let him follow (akoloutheo) me; and if any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (John 12:26).
Come and follow me
In this series, we have taken a look at several aspects of the coming kingdom of God, and at its King, Jesus Christ. We know Jesus came to “save his people;” we know his “own” rejected him and, through the apostles, he turned to the gentiles to call out a people for God’s name.
We saw in the parables an aspect of the kingdom as it exists now; and we clearly saw how it will, without a doubt, exist in the future, at his return.
We know that Jesus was the “firstfruits,” but we also know he was to be the first of many brethren. Who will make up those brethren? All of the faithful of all generations. Even those who preceded Christ could look to him in promise and would rejoice to see his day.
Look to Jesus
Paul wrote to the Hebrews, saying, “Look(ing) unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:2.) Follow Jesus, he is saying; look to him; see what you may accomplish in him and through faith in him. Ignore all but the things of God and like him you will receive that joy set before you. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the author and the finisher, of our faith.
“Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and have followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One