“CHRISTian” or “CHRISTfan”

Let’s read Matthew 14:20, 21 & Luke 14:26-30 in tandem

“They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children”

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

In Matthew chapter 14(v13-21), we read about the famous incident of “Jesus feeding the five thousand”. However, at the end of this passage (v21) we notice that “..The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children”. Hence, the actual number of those who ate may have possibly been anywhere between eight thousand to ten thousand. 

This is just one of the many instances when multitudes of people “followed” Jesus and “admired” Him for His compassionate personality, His mesmerising miracles and His comforting & uplifting sermons. Most of them were just “admirers” or “fans” of Jesus. But only a few, very few chose to be His disciples…!!

Even today “Jesus Christ” is being treated like any another celebrity by millions of people (including name-sake christians) around the world. They are nothing more than “emotional admirers”. They are not “CHRISTians”; they are just “fans” of Christ. The word “CHRISTIAN” means not just to be a “follower of Christ” but much more than that; it means to be “Christ-like”, to be “a reflection of Christ”, to be “an ambassador for Christ”.

Local/National or International celebrities around the world from any field (sports, entertainment, politics etc) do not expect you to first sit down and estimate the cost of being their follower. That is because they have a hunger for “admiration” and “fan-following”. But, Jesus says “..whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”. 

Jesus Christ came down to this world not to make mere “admirers” or “fans”; He came to make DISCIPLES who surrender their all to Him and for Him…!!

Did you ever sit down and estimate the cost of being a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ..??