​He (Jesus) called the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers..." (Mark 8:34)

Why would anyone want to follow Jesus?!
Why do you follow Jesus?
 
Some common answers to those questions are "Because that's the way we were raised, in a "Christian home".  Or, "because we've always done it that way".
 
Or maybe you don't like using the words "following Jesus".  You'd rather call it something else.  Like we are doing with this Lenten season, with the theme, "Gathering Around Jesus".  
 
The question is still the same:  "Why Jesus"?"
 
I'll let you answer for yourself.  But here's how I'll start to answer that question.  And I look forward to discussing it further with you as we have the opportunity.
 
God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins.
 
He did this because He (the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit) loves each and every one of us.
 
Jesus gave the supreme sacrifice of His place at the right hand of God, to come into this sin-filled world.
 
Jesus sacrificed His life, suffering and dying the most horrible way of crucifixion.  And He knew it before it all happened, and still did it.
 
Jesus showed His love and compassion and care for each individual in His ministry of teaching, healing and friendship with several examples as we find in the Gospels.
 
Jesus promises forgiveness of all sins, and eternal life with Him.
 
As He tells us in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth and the life;  No one comes to the Father except through me."
 
You and I can follow all kinds of other people and things.  And we all know how modern society has a whole lot to offer.  But the bottom line is that Jesus is the One to trust in and follow for eternal salvation!  

Blessings!

Pastor Steve