Mark 2:14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
This simple command of Jesus to Levi Matthew involves much more than meets the eye, for it includes following Christ's example as he unfolded to mortal eyes the practical application of the many teachings, statutes, and laws of the kingdom of God. We are to follow the written word in the instructions God has given, and we are also to follow the living Word in the application of the truths that are enjoined in the scriptures.
The word of God was not always interpreted as it should be, and as a result, very warped concepts of God, His character, and His laws, were being harbored and practiced, which then led to erroneous teachings such as religious favoritism, hereditary punishment for sin, spiritual exclusiveness, legalism, and a host of other unscriptural interpretations of the law and the prophets that had taken deep root in the Hebrew thinking and theology.
It was therefore necessary for us to have before our eyes, a practical example of godly living in the person of Jesus Christ, for this is one of the reasons why He was manifested, to show us the right way to live. This fact is embodied in the following passage of scripture. Let's read:
John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
In other words, no man can can be reconciled to the Father, and no man can please the Father except through Christ, hence the reason why Jesus said to His disciples, and to all who would receive Him into their hearts, "Follow me".
In our day there is a tendency to look to "Role models", instead of looking to Christ, the only perfect "Role model". Throughout history there have been many good men who have done many good things, and who have made many good contributions to society. This is all well and good, and should be encouraged wherever it will benefit or uplift humanity. But as history too often shows, our efforts at righteousness are often flawed, and in many instances, those who were once shining examples of virtue and righteousness, have descended into the bottomless pit of immorality, taking with them, those who once held them in high esteem.
That's why we have Jesus Christ as the only perfect pattern for righteous living, and that's why He says to you and I, "Follow me".
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that points us to our perfect example, and if we indeed follow where He leads the way, we will never, ever go wrong. Let's read:
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
May the Lord enable us to have Jesus ever before our faces, so that the radiance of His character, may be a well of water in us, springing up into everlasting life. God Bless!