12. The Almost Disciple in Each of Us

It is easy to read these stories and judge the people who walked away.

The rich young ruler loved his wealth.

The hesitant followers kept saying, “First, let me…”

The crowd abandoned Jesus when His teaching became difficult.

Judas stayed close but never surrendered.

Herod was fascinated but unchanged.

Felix postponed obedience.

Pilate chose approval over truth.

Agrippa was almost persuaded.

The religious leaders knew the Scriptures but refused to come to Jesus.

But these stories were not preserved merely to expose them.

They were preserved to expose us.

We have our own versions of the same barriers:

Money we cannot imagine surrendering.

Comfort we refuse to leave.

Obedience we keep postponing.

Reputations we are afraid to risk.

Hard teachings we quietly avoid.

Convictions we intend to act upon “someday.”

Religious knowledge that never becomes obedience.

We may never say, “I refuse to follow Jesus.”

Instead, we say:

“I will follow You, as long as it does not cost too much.”

“I will obey You, when the timing is better.”

“I will speak about You, when I am less afraid.”

“I will make disciples, when life becomes less busy.”

But delayed surrender is still unsurrendered.

Selective obedience is still disobedience.

And being close to Jesus is not the same as following Him.

The most dangerous place may not be far from Jesus.

It may be near enough to hear His words, experience His blessings, attend His gatherings, and admire His life, while still withholding the one thing He is asking us to surrender.

Jesus did not call us to admire Him.

He called us to follow Him.

“If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”, Matthew 16:24 WEB

This series must not end with us analyzing why other people almost followed Jesus.

It must end with us asking:

Where am I still saying, “Yes, Lord, but…”?

What obedience have I delayed?

What comfort am I protecting?

What fear is keeping me silent?

Who should I be discipling, but have not yet begun?

The world does not need more people who are merely familiar with Jesus.

It needs surrendered disciples who obey Jesus, and help others obey Him.

Do not remain an almost disciple.

Surrender what you have been protecting.

Obey what you have been postponing.

Begin the disciple-making relationship you have been avoiding.

Follow Jesus completely.

And help someone else follow Him too.

Final challenge: Which “almost follower” looks most like you, and what will you do about it today?