The followers of Jesus during his time on earth came in many different shapes and sizes, just as in our times there are many sorts of people who claim to follow Him. It is easy for us to try to categorize the 'Christians' of our day, to define what kind of followers they are: true disciples, or merely nominal? footstep followers of Christ, or just worldly Christians? members of the Body, or people brought up in a 'Christian' community who are unaware of any personal calling? However, it is a good thing that we are not expected to be judges of the status of our fellow believers - we might find ourselves judging our own position. We know that 'the last shall be first and the first last', so we need to be humble, and cautious, when looking at others. We realise that it is always possible, for them and for us, to be more true-hearted, more faithful, more loyal to the Master, more aware of what He wants us to know and what He wants us to do. If we take on board the Old Testament command to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God, it will take us a long way in becoming disciples, particularly if 'walking with God' is a real experience in our lives. But there is always more to learn, more to be aware of, more challenges.

It is our plan in this article to look at some references to people in the gospels who were spoken of as following Jesus. It is largely based on Barclay's word study in 'New Testament Words' on akoluthein = to follow. It does not aim to include everybody who followed the Master, and readers will think of many individuals and incidents besides those we mention. We hope to find things that are instructive, to set in comparison with our own lives and the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters.

Firstly, those who became disciples and followed Jesus left everything else behind. Disciples are ones who keep in the company of a teacher so that they can learn from him, and they will be his helpers. Beside the twelve whom Jesus chose to be with him there were many others who followed in his company, not least the women who were a practical support and provided for them out of their own resources (Luke 8.3). It was typically the case that disciples had 'left all and followed him' (Matthew 19.27). and well quoted examples of this are Peter and Andrew, James and John, who left their work as fishermen (Mark 1.16-20). Jesus warned would-be disciples that the life would be hard, and he told them to cut ties with their family life - his ministry was urgent, his time was short. This was the kind of challenge he made to the 'rich young ruler', who did not find himself able to leave everything and follow.

Secondly, the words Jesus used when he was challenging men to be with him were "Follow me!" He said it to Matthew (Mark 2.14), when, as he passed by, he called him away from the tax office. He said it to Philip (John 1.43) when he was going back to Galilee and first he went and found Philip. The words were repeated after the resurrection to Peter, when Peter was anxiously enquiring about John's future. Peter was recalled to the main point - never mind about him, just follow me yourself. It does not seem that Jesus usually prevented anyone from physically following him, but he did point out the cost of doing so, and the danger. (Mark 8.34) - He called the crowd to him, with his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me... whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it...."

There was one case when Jesus refused a man's request to go with him. The cured demoniac from the other side the lake (Mark 5.19) was told to stay in his home area and tell all his friends how he had been cured. He was given a job to do, and he did it. Being a follower does not necessarily mean going off on a journey with Jesus. It may mean doing so, but our 'walk with the Lord' is spiritual, not a matter of geography. Following Him is a full time job in the place where we are.

Thirdly, there is a difference between Jesus' command to follow him and his invitation 'Come to me'. "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11.28-30) Jesus was revelling in the fact that his Father had made Him known to babes, and not the clever ones. Crowds of assorted people followed him, and they were the ones he invited to "Come!" "And many followed him, and he healed them all" (Matthew 12.15). These followers followed because they wanted to receive something from Jesus. 'Sometimes the crowds followed Jesus to experience his healing power; sometimes they followed him to listen to his words; and sometimes, toward the end, they followed him in wondering admiration to see what would happen to him.' (Barclay)

We may ask ourselves, is Jesus saying to us 'Follow' or is he saying 'Come'. When he has healed us we shall certainly desire to follow. Blind Bartimeus (Mark 10.52) followed when his sight was restored. And sinners followed Jesus (Mark 2.15), they knew he welcomed them, and would enable them to mend their broken lives and start again. These 'sinners' perhaps were in particular those whose conduct was not respectable, beyond the pale, ungodly: and Jesus was not put off by the label people attached to them. However, his appeal was not just to that particular class of 'sinners'. For which one of us is without sin? He welcomes us all.

Fourthly, in John's Gospel we find two promises to followers: "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (8.12) "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am there shall my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him" (12.25-6). These verses mark the paradox of being a follower. Simple people and intellectuals alike, and those in between, all are invited to follow - to put self to one side, and in so doing to see life clearly, and in serving to hope for eternal life. Jesus in John 12 was looking forward to his own death: he himself was putting self to one side, in obedient trust to his Father. A way that is the ultimate test of a follower.

However, we may not live up to these aspirations. We might - without God's strong grace - fail the severest test. This fact that we do not follow perfectly underlies our human tendency to judge the defects of our fellow Christians and place them in higher or lower categories accordingly. We do of course need to discriminate, to know what is best and live up to it; to try to see what God is planning, though we see through a glass darkly. But it is not for us to judge the status of anyone before God.

Fifthly, Jesus acknowledged those who tried but failed. There was a disciple who followed 'at a distance' (Matthew 26.58). At that moment he did not seem close to the Lord, and he went on to deny that he knew him. But he did follow. And Jesus loved Peter, and forgave him, and reinstated him.

Then, at one time, the whole group of disciples followed Jesus in fear. He went on, determinedly, ahead of them, to Jerusalem where he would meet his death. The disciples straggled after, putting together the courage not to turn tail. They were no example of first class footstep following. Or were they? They did follow.

Sixthly, following, for us, in our present circumstances, involves the continual task of understanding what are our 'daily orders'. The quick answer how to do this, is to pray. But what sort of things as followers can we expect? The usages in ancient Greek of the word meaning to follow give some hints.

• We can follow like soldiers follow their leader. Immediate obedience is required.
  
• We can follow like a slave follows in attendance on his master, listening for his instructions.
  
• We can be like someone following advice - trusting the words of godly friends, and God's good words in the scriptures.
  
• We can follow just as people follow the laws of their country - when Jesus puts his law into our hearts.
  
• We can follow as people follow an argument - understanding what is said to us, and so coming at the truth.
  
• We can follow persistently, staying with our leader, clinging to our Lord, not letting go of him until he blesses us.

So life goes on. We study, and trust, and pray, and are intent on following our Master. It is not for us to fret about others, as Peter did, rather trust them into God's own care for them, and helping them is there is opportunity, travelling the same journey. Trust our own lives to His care, trusting every day, whatever the difficulties, whatever our weakness, as the moments go by and the weeks pass, following through death to that eternal life. Whatever the details of the destination He has in mind for each one of us, we can be sure it will be good.