Believe and Follow 

   Jesus tells us, “Believe in God, believe in me also.” (John 14: 1).  He doesn’t say believe those teachings that we may find easy, but in all of His teachings.  Some are difficult to understand but that doesn’t lessen the truth of them.

   Even some of His disciples walked away from Him saying, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (John 6: 60).  Jesus did not call them back to explain the teaching, He had said exactly what He meant.  He let them walk away if they could not accept it.  It’s not up to us to choose which of His teachings suit us and are easy, but to believe every word that came from the mouth of the Son of God.  Nothing less is acceptable.

   Not only are we to believe but we are to follow, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” (Matt 16: 24).  If we truly believe in Jesus we must follow Him, carrying whatever cross we are called to bear.  It’s not enough to say “I believe” if that belief doesn’t lead to following.  Christ endured terrible pain and suffering for us.  He died a horrible death on the cross to pay the price of our redemption.  If we are not willing to follow Him, even all the way to the cross if necessary, we can’t honestly say we believe.

   Some of Jesus’ teachings are difficult and hard to understand.  But that doesn’t excuse us from believing and acting upon the truths He taught.  Through prayer and trust in God we can accept what we can’t understand and do what we may think impossible, all through the grace of God.