“Follow Me”

As I was studying the gospel of John in the New Testament I was impressed by the some of the last recorded words of the Savior. He is walking with the apostle Peter, informing him that when he is old he will be crucified. This, naturally, must have caused Peter to be at least a little startled. Were I to be told the manner in which I would be killed (or even that I would be killed), I think life would take on a different meaning. The Savior then put forth some of the most powerful words He offers: “Follow me.”

At this instance it becomes apparent, at least to the reader, what it means to follow Christ. For a long time I was not sure about this details of this principle. It was troubling to me that in order to follow Christ, in every literal sense, we must die for the truth. However, it was unsettling in a sense different than what might be expected. After all, through the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith, we can have a sure knowledge of the Plan of Salvation: a knowledge of who we are, why we are here, where we come from, and, perhaps most comforting, where we are going. Death is not the end! Rather than being confused about the act of dying, the question of how one goes about getting killed as a martyr was the enigma. Surely, that is beyond the control of one person. A true disciple of Christ, one who sincerely seeks to follow in His footsteps, must be willing to follow Him even to death. Examples of martyrs throughout history provide types to help others come to know Christ. Peter, Stephen, Joseph Smith, and others lived lives dedicated to serving the Savior. Even in death they followed Him.

Of course, martyrdom is not required to gain exaltation in the kingdom of God. The principle of following Christ, even unto death, is deeper than our actions. It is consecrating ourselves as Christ consecrated Himself. Christ came to earth with a mission, for which He would have to lay down His life. In my opinion, this principle is embodied more in Christ’s words, “not my will, but thine, be done” than in the crucifixion. His words describe the state of His heart; His actions prove it. So, for the vast majority of people sincerely striving to follow Christ, it is not necessary to die as a martyr. Yet all who sincerely seek to follow that path must be willing to give whatever God requires, even unto death. When we can truly say that we are willing to die, or, sometimes even more difficult, willing to live for the truth, then we know that we are on the path that Christ set. We can know we are following Him.

For Peter, it must have been difficult to hear the Savior prophesy of Peter’s death. Yet from that moment forward Peter dedicated His life to serving Christ. Knowing full well what the end would bring, Peter did not stop pressing forward for Christ. The same Peter who, not much time previous, had buckled under the pressure and denied Christ, spent the rest of his life following Him even to the cross. Peter began to be converted because he began to have the faith to be made whole.  Like the man at the pool of Bethesda, recorded in John, chapter 5, Jesus offered to Peter healing.  After being denied by him three times, Christ offered forgiveness to Peter.  He demonstrated His infinite love by allowing Peter the opportunity to have a second chance.  In so doing, He healed Peter.  Thus Peter not only witnessed (as he had in the past), but was the one receiving the healing.  As this happened, the power of Christ became personal.  He began to allow the truth to change his heart.  So should we act.  The path of discipleship is anything but easy.  Yet, as the man at Bethesda discovered, and as Peter discovered, by following Christ He will make us whole.  As Christ extended the invitation to Peter to follow Him (and be healed by Him), He extends it, on an individual basis, to each person on earth.