Brave Enough to FollowBook Review

Briscoe,Stuart. Brave Enough to Follow. What Jesus Can Do When You Keep Your Eyes On Him. NavPress 2004.

Comment. Henry
The author examines Peter’s life as a follower of Christ and suggests some principles involved in becoming and being a follower. The commitment to becoming a follower requires total surrender, total dedication with no ‘strings attached’. The standard presented is very high. The path, although very difficult, is very possible. A very encouraging and challenging read for anyone serious about being a genuine follower of Christ.

“Jesus transforms each of us –when we commit to following him.” (16) e.g.Peter. God’s view of potential in us is explained through “creation, the fall, redemption and glory”. (24)

Peter’s initial response to Jesus’ invitation to follow him was to declare that he was unworthy. Through understanding his fear became awe. It was an invitation to a relationship that required commitment. Peter understood the promise of his commitment; becoming a fisher of men. He made a choice.

Along with the other disciples Peter learned many things in Jesus’ classroom. He learned that “we’re not expected to speak authoritatively about matters of which we are ignorant, and we are not expected to stay silent on issues about which we have been enlightened”. (64) Peter also learned that meager resources were more than adequate when Jesus added his divine provision.

When Peter declared that Jesus was the Son of the living God it was a revelation. “He put this revelation through the filter of his own misconceptions, he still had no idea what the truth meant”. (92) The reprimand he received later bears this out. He was about to learn about the reality of suffering that is part of the choice to follow Jesus.

To follow Jesus is to enter the path of humility. During the last week of Jesus’ life his disciples saw first hand examples of people who were not prepared to pay the price of following him, e.g. the rich young ruler, the individual who first wanted to bury his father, etc. The events of Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion left Peter confused and defeated. It wasn’t until much later at the ‘fisherman’s breakfast’ that Peter experienced a reinstatement as a Christ follower.

For Peter, “following meant following when he didn’t want to, didn’t think he could, didn’t understand where he was going, didn’t like what he was seeing, didn’t feel like sacrificing more”. (191) The reward for following is (will be) an eternity in the presence of the One we are following.

Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you!”