Come Follow Me

Come Follow Me

Three times I met this Jesus of Nazareth, each time I felt strange

and confused in his presence. Each time he only spoke

three simple words “Come Follow Me”.

Oh how can I explain how my heart fought desperately

to follow him even to the grave, And yet each time I was held back

by some explainable force stronger even than the intensity

of my love for him. Some would question that I did love Jesus,

saying then why didn’t you follow him?

Why didn't i follow him? Oh how I have tortured my soul 

with that question, how I have pleaded with my heart 

to send the answer. And yet I didn’t know then, 

but I do now know why I didn’t follow Jesus

The first time I met him, I was traveling to a neighboring town

with several of my comrades. As we approached him

and three of his disciples. I could tell even from a distance,

that this man was different.

My steps faltered and I stood transfixed as he approached.

My comrades who heard the ugly rumors about the king

began to rail and ridicule him. One was so bold as to spit

 before his feet, but he walked as if he saw only me.

If my thoughts and feelings were reflected in my eyes

it is no wonder he gave attention to only me.

I was scared and yet calm and immovable. And only vaguely

was I aware of my friends beginning to shout at me 

for not joining in their railing and ridicule. 

He stopped before me and I looked into his eyes,

it was like looking into all eternity. And I felt a surge of love

such as I had never felt before, warm, sweet and pure.

And I felt my heart whisper, if you have never loved before

and if you never love again. This is the man

to give your deepest and dearest love too.

I am sure he felt this also, for with love in his eyes he smiled

and gently said come follow me.

At this moment one of my comrades slapped me on the shoulder and said

“oh no don’t tell me that you are falling for that magic spell

of this mighty king”. Suddenly I thought to myself how foolish I must appear,

and said unconsciously almost with a laugh.

Who me of course not, what do you take me for common peasant.

We all laughed and I turned to join my comrades.

But not so suddenly that I didn’t see the look in his eyes change

from love to pain. That momentary glance pierced me deeper

than any sword could. Yet still I walked away with my comrades

laughing at the common carpenter who proclaimed himself a king.

The second time I met him I was alone, I was drawing water from my well.

When he walked up beside me and gently laid his hand upon my arm.

I didn’t need to look to know it was he, nor could I look into those eyes again.

I hurried with my task the sooner to leave, and yet once

again I felt myself transfixed. And involuntarily my eyes

were soon enveloped by his own. And all I could see was forgiveness,

forgiveness and that ever present sea of love wider and deeper

than the oceans of the world.

And once again I heard those three words, come follow me.

But they were three words that cut into my soul

and made my heart gush with tears.

I split the water and ran from the well before reason could stop me.

I wanted to return and give him my heart

which he already had too strong a hold on.

But I didn’t, I didn’t even look back.

Why didn’t I follow, why didn’t I follow Jesus

The third time I met him, I had been visiting Jerusalem only but one day,

but at that moment I wished that I was a thousand miles

 from that horrible city.

As soon as I heard of the trail my heart sickened,

then I heard the shouts of the crowed. Rude, boisterous and angry,

as they led him up the hill towards Calvary.

 I knew then that I couldn’t stay in the city a moment longer.

 I ran and ran until I could run no further.

Then I dropped to the ground and wept till there were no more tears,

how long I was there I do not know. I only remember

finding myself walking back to Calvary.

Walking slowly and thoughtfully until at last I stood there.

I stood there several moments, before raising my eyes to look into his face.

And yet when I did, strangely enough it was still the same

radiant with power and glowing with love. And I knew then

that they could not kill him, any more than they could kill the love

that I felt for him. And once again I heard those three simple words,

this time he could barely whisper them.

But to me they sounded like the rushing of the winds, come follow me.

I could stand it no longer my heart broke, I fell to my knees.

And at last I answered his three simple words, Yes, my savior, I will follow.

It was the net day that the soldiers found the body of a man

at the foot of the cross. Thinking it was just a common peasant friend,

they kicked it out of the way to lower the body of Jesus.

No one could Identify the man, nor could the find a reason for his death.

In his hand he clutched a small piece of paper,

written on it his last testament to mankind.

I didn’t lack the love, I only lacked the courage.

So they dug a hasty grave to bury the man who died of a broken heart