2nd Sunday Ordinary Time – On following Jesus

I found a new pattern in John’s gospel that I want to test out here with you.  It has to do with following Jesus.  Check it out.

John 1:19-51   John pointed 2 disciples to Jesus and they followed him to abide with him.  Andrew brought his brother, Simon, to Jesus.  Jesus called Philip to follow him.  Philip called Nathanael.   Philip is the only one Jesus called!

The next occurrences of the word, akoloutheo, except for a notice about the crowds following Jesus are here…  Jesus deals with the terms of hearing and following.

John 8:12            Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

John 10:4f             When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.   They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 10:27f             My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

Same here, where Jesus presents terms about discipleship and following.

John 12:25f             Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

     THEN, we get to see Simon Peter dealing with following Jesus.  Peter gets to recognize experientially the difference between his intention and his self-defensive actions on his behalf.

John 13:36f             Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.”  Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

John 18:15             Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.  “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.  He replied, “I am not.”

John 20:6f             Then Simon Peter came, following him [the beloved disciple], and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.

And finally, Jesus calls Peter to follow him.  Only after his awakening to his capacity for betrayal, self-protection, and Jesus’ welcoming, resurrected love.

John 21:19–22             (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Our pattern, too???