WE DON’T FOLLOW THE CROWD, WE FOLLOW CHRIST.
Pastor Eli Nelson
In a world that often seeks comfort and convenience, the call to truly follow Christ stands in stark contrast. It's easy to like the idea of Jesus - to see Him as love, forgiveness, and understanding. But do we embrace the fullness of who He is, including His righteousness, holiness, and truth?
The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday paints a vivid picture of this dichotomy. The crowds shouted "Hosanna!" - meaning "save us now!" They welcomed Jesus as a conquering king, expecting Him to overthrow Roman oppression. But Jesus came riding on a donkey - a symbol of peace. His mission was not to wage physical war, but to conquer the spiritual enemies of death, hell, and the grave.
This misalignment between expectations and reality reveals a crucial truth: many want Jesus as Savior, but few truly embrace Him as Lord. We like the idea of Jesus saving us, but do we allow Him to transform us?
The first action Jesus took upon entering Jerusalem was to overturn tables in the temple. This serves as a powerful metaphor for our lives. If we invite Jesus in, but don't allow Him to "flip tables" - to challenge and change our worldviews and behaviors - we're missing the point. Jesus didn't come to be a supplement to our lives; He came to invite us to be part of His life.
Consider the stark difference between the crowds shouting "Hosanna!" and later crying "Crucify Him!" How can the same people go from celebration to condemnation so quickly? It's possible when our motivation for following God is rooted in self-love and self-preservation. When Jesus doesn't meet our expectations or confronts areas of our lives we'd rather keep unchanged, it's tempting to reject Him.
This brings us to a critical choice: Will we surrender ourselves, pick up our cross, and truly follow Christ? Or will we create a god in our own image - one that fits comfortably into our preconceived notions and desires?
Following Christ is not about inviting Him into our lives as an accessory. It's about being invited into His life and allowing Him to have full lordship. As the apostle Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).
This total surrender is challenging. It means giving up control, letting go of sinful behaviors, and allowing God to confront areas of our lives that don't align with His will. But it's in this surrender that we find true transformation and power.
Consider the story of the Ark of the Covenant being placed in the temple of Dagon. Each morning, the Philistines found their god Dagon fallen face-down before the Ark. This powerful image reminds us that when we truly invite God into our lives, everything else must bow before Him. There can be no compromise, no off-limits areas. As the saying goes, "Unless He is Lord of all, He is not Lord at all."
The apostle Paul wrote with tears about those who "live as enemies of the cross of Christ" (Philippians 3:18). These weren't people rejecting Jesus outright, but those claiming to follow Him while refusing to embrace the self-denial the cross represents. Paul describes their god as their stomach - meaning they've created a god that caters to their earthly desires rather than transforming them.
True holiness begins with repentance - not perfection, but a continual alignment with God's purposes. As Peter wrote, "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" (1 Peter 1:14-15).
This call to holiness isn't about rigid rule-following. It's about allowing God to transform us from the inside out. It means approaching Him with humility, admitting when we fall short, and being willing to change. King David exemplified this heart posture when he prayed, "Search me, God, and know my heart" (Psalm 139:23).
In our efforts to make Christianity appealing, we must be careful not to water down the gospel. Following Christ will cost us everything - our comfort, our pride, our own ways of thinking. Jesus Himself said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24).
But in losing our lives, we find true life. In surrendering control, we gain the power of the Holy Spirit. In dying to ourselves, we experience resurrection power.
As followers of Christ, we're called to be unashamed of the gospel, even when it's countercultural or offensive to the world around us. We're called to stand firm in truth, to call evil what it is, and to pursue holiness in all areas of life.
This isn't an easy path. It's narrow, challenging, and often lonely. But it's the path that leads to true life, purpose, and intimacy with God. As we yield ourselves fully to Christ, allowing Him to be both Savior and Lord, we discover a depth of relationship and transformation beyond anything we could have imagined.
So let us examine our hearts. Are we truly following Christ, or just paying lip service? Are we allowing Him to overturn tables in our lives, or keeping Him at a safe distance? May we have the courage to surrender fully, to pursue holiness, and to let Christ truly be Lord of all.
