Why Follow Jesus?

Why become a follower of Jesus? Why am I a follower of Jesus? Why would anyone want to be a follower of Jesus?

Our reading for Lent for today is found in Luke 9:1-36. In this reading we find Jesus sent out his 12 disciples and he empowered them to cast out demons and heal the sick. He instructed them to go out and teach people about the Kingdom of God, cast out demons and heal the sick. When they came back, Jesus had them organize the crowds that were following him so he could feed all of them using a boy's lunch. Miraculous! Wow! God was at work and He was using them! Cool!

But then the question. "Who do people say that I am?" Jesus asked. And then more specifically, "Who do YOU say that I am?"

What is our answer? What is your answer? Who do you say Jesus is? Is he your divine travel agent - providing a means for you to get to heaven? Is he your "service provider" who is here to meet your needs, answer your prayers and generally make life easier for you? Is he The One whom you follow - wherever he leads?

If we in fact declare Jesus to be the Son of God - the Messiah - we have no option but to follow Him according to his rules, not our own. Jesus said,

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?  Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)

Is today all about MY life? Or is it about Jesus?