In Luke 9:20, Jesus said to his disciples… And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?” Such a question causes us to evaluate the very core of our beliefs about God and what being an authentic Christian is all about.

A Stained Glass Jesus A person from religious history who has very little real relevance for your life.
A Rabbit’s Foot Jesus
A kind of good luck charm that we carry around in our pockets.
A Genie-in-the-bottle Jesus He must jump to serve us every time we rub the magic lamp A Life-Insurance Jesus My way to avoid going to hell when I die.

Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Selfhelp is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor with the Father and the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26, The Message) Real Followers of Jesus go in a different direction. They are not part of the majority. Three kinds of people came to see Jesus:

Real followers of Jesus believe they can fly.
They believe that through Christ they can overcome their sins, their shortcomings, their inadequacies, and their lack.
The confess Paul’s motto, “I can do all things through Christ.”
Real followers believe they can change the world.
They do not hide out in church.
They do not let fear rule them.
The will not sit in comfortable boxes.
They believe they are a part of a movement that can make a difference.