The phrase "Follow Me" has been the rally cry of the Christian faith in many ways; and well it should be. It is an imperative command given by our Messiah. It is not open for discussion or debate.
The Greek word akalouthai carries a militaristic tone. It is to say, "Fall in!" or "Get in step!" In Hebrew, Messiah may have used one of two words, either "bo" which means "to come" or He may more likely would have said "Hawlak" which would be literally translated as "walk with me" but carries the understanding, "walk after the manner in which I am walking." It is this second idea that Paul picks up on in 1st Corinthians 11:1 where he says, "Be followers of me, even as I also am of Messiah." The word he chooses here is mimetos which we would translate "to imitate".
Typically, a Jewish rabbi would be followed by a number of disciples or "talmidim". To a Jew, information was a gift from Adonai and a blessing to all people; therefore, a rabbi would not close himself off so as to require payment from his pupils as we often see in the Greek culture. Anyone who wanted to learn was welcome to listen to his teaching and to ask questions and expect complete and sincere answers. Yet, it was also common for the rabbi to look into the crowd of followers and select his inner circle of students: usually the brightest and most committed. These he would choose not to become mere students who would learn from him and apply his teaching to their individual walk of life; but to become rabbis like him, to propetuate his teachings.
Messiah Yeshua didn’t look out over the masses and shout, "Y’all come!" He looked directly in to Philip’s eyes and said to him, "Follow Me…" completely indifferent to the size of the crowds beginning to throng around Him. This suggests no amount of contempt or devaluation of any anyone else around. Everyone is welcome; but specific individuals are chosen for specific relationships in the body of the Body of the Messiah.
One of the things that is grossly misunderstood about the Messianic perspective is the obligatory nature of
. From the outside, it appears that if one wants to participate in the fellowshipping community, then his or her lifestyle must be ammended: you have to look like us, dress like us, eat like us…. There should be nothing compulsory about a
observant lifestyle. It is a series of choices as one grows and learns more from his or her personal walk with the Messiah. It is not a demonstration of how good we are; but a focused direction of learning to become more like Him in every way.
The modern Greek teaching is that certain elements of the lifestyle of our Messiah are either unnecessary or inappropriate. This is not consistent with Paul’s word "mimetos" nor with Messiah’s specific instruction to "Follow Me." Nor is it allowed for in John’s declaration, "He that says that he abides in Him ought himself to walk, even as He walked." (1st John 2:6). The instruction of our Messiah, if we are to take it upon ourselves as it was given to Philip in John 1:43, is to commit ourselves to become as close to the Master in every respect, as the time we have under His tutorage allows.
The inner circle, the selected talmidim, must not be considered superior to the crowds that would otherwise make, sometimes, tremendous sacrifice to follow. From one perspective, they were simply seen as an extension of the Rabbi, so that His wisdom could reach farther and more personally than otherwise. It would be inappropriate for one of these to suggest that he is better or wiser than those behind him: rather, he is an extension of the wisdom of His teacher. This is something that made Messiah Yeshua unique as a teacher in Israel, in that He taught as One who had authority (Matthew 7:29), not simply as the extension of His predecessors. Yet, we, as His talmidim, are not at liberty to do the same thing. Paul harshly criticized the Church or Corinth for setting up the students as though they were individual masters in 1st Corinthians 1:10-15.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
(1Co 1:12-13 KJV)
Nor is it appropriate for we, as His talmidim to exalt ourselves as superior to others who have a different understanding of His teachings. If two students are focused on the teaching of the same Master, they will grow together in their understanding; but if they commit to their own understanding and perspective, focusing on their differences rather than on the Teacher, they will grow apart.
Messianic congregations and Christian denominations grow more and more fragmented each year as teachers sway to accommodate some while alienating others. The explanation of the divisive nature of Church is very simple: we have ceased to Follow Him.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
(Act 20:29-31 KJV)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
(2Ti 4:3-4 KJV)
It is as simple as committing ourselves to be individually the talmidim of Yeshua Messiah: learning to hawlakah (to walk with Him in the way that He walks). It doesn’t matter what others are doing around us. It doesn’t matter how we are perceived. It matters that when He calls, we answer. "Follow Me."
. From the outside, it appears that if one wants to participate in the fellowshipping community, then his or her lifestyle must be ammended: you have to look like us, dress like us, eat like us…. There should be nothing compulsory about a 
