Ahighlight of my recent pilgrimage to Israel came in observ- ing an aged rabbi walking toward the Western Wall. He did not walk alone. Five young men followed close behind. They followed in his footsteps, bodies inclined and taking each step with some dif culty, the same way as their teacher. They imi- tated him because they were his followers.
In the Jewish tradition, being a follower of the local Jewish rabbi brought honor and distinction. The followers sit at the rabbi’s feet to learn. They study his vocabulary and his response to the facts of life. Their principal virtue comes in serving him, even in the most insigni cant of tasks. They remain determined to be like him.
In the Christian tradition, Jesus comes to us speaking two simple words: “Follow me!” Jesus invites us to follow: to share his passion serving those seeking the way to salvation. In these verses, Jesus expresses his thoughts about “this generation.” “This generation” has been exposed to the ministries of John the Baptizer and Jesus: John, the sober, austere man who calls for repentance, and Jesus who comes proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom and who sits at table with many different kinds of people. “This generation” labels one as crazy and the other as a drunkard and glutton. People had heard the good news pro- claimed by both men and have chosen to follow neither. They do not dance or mourn.
Jesus knows the father. He has intimate knowledge of our Creator. True wisdom has been hidden from the wise and intel- ligent. We are those who follow. We sit at the feet of the cross and listen. We follow in the steps of Jesus’ public ministry and go in peace to serve our Lord. It is the Jesus way.