I’ll follow but you can’t lead

Title: “I’ll Follow, But You Can’t Lead”

Introduction:
I want to explore a theme that is both challenging and thought-provoking: “I’ll follow, but you can’t lead.” This statement encapsulates a sentiment that is prevalent in our society today. Many people are willing to follow Jesus, but they struggle to fully surrender to His leadership in their lives. Today, we will examine this concept through the lens of Scripture, particularly focusing on the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness as described in Matthew 4:1-10.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:1-10

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'”

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and there He faced three temptations from the devil. In each instance, Jesus responded with the Word of God, demonstrating unwavering commitment to following God’s will and rejecting the devil’s attempts to lead Him astray.

I. The Temptation to Lead Ourselves
In the first temptation, the devil tried to convince Jesus to use His divine power to satisfy His own physical needs by turning stones into bread. This temptation represents the desire to be self-sufficient, to lead ourselves apart from God’s guidance. In our lives, we often face the same temptation, believing that we can rely solely on our own abilities and resources. However, Jesus’ response teaches us that true sustenance comes from God, and we must trust in Him to provide for our needs.

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

II. The Temptation to Test God’s Leadership
The devil then took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and challenged Him to throw Himself down, quoting Scripture to support his argument. This temptation reflects the inclination to test God’s leadership, to demand signs or assurances before we are willing to fully submit to Him. However, Jesus’ response emphasizes the importance of trusting God without putting Him to the test. We must not seek to manipulate or control God, but rather humbly submit to His wisdom and authority.

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

III. The Temptation to Pursue Worldly Leadership
In the final temptation, the devil offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down and worship him. This temptation represents the allure of worldly power and influence, the desire to lead and be in control of our own destiny apart from God. However, Jesus’ resolute rejection of this offer affirms the truth that we are called to worship and serve God alone, not the fleeting treasures and powers of this world.

Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:15-17
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

Conclusion:
As we reflect on the temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness, we are reminded of the profound truth that while we may be willing to follow God, we must also be willing to fully surrender to His leadership. “I’ll follow, but you can’t lead” is a contradiction that cannot exist in the life of a true disciple of Christ. We must acknowledge God’s sovereignty over our lives, submitting to His leadership with humility and trust.

Let us be inspired by the example of Jesus, who remained steadfast in His commitment to follow God’s will, even in the face of intense temptation. May we strive to emulate His unwavering faith and reliance on the Word of God as our guide. Let us surrender our desire for self-sufficiency, our inclination to test God, and our pursuit of worldly power, recognizing that true fulfillment and purpose are found in wholeheartedly following and submitting to God’s leadership.

May we embrace the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Let us follow Him wholeheartedly, knowing that in surrendering to His leadership, we find true freedom, joy, and fulfillment. Amen.