In Mark 3:8, we are told about a ‘large crowd [that] came to [Jesus] because they heard about everything he was doing.’ By the time we get to 3:8, people have heard his teaching, seen his miracles, and should be ready to believe that Jesus is the Messiah whose teaching should be believed and obeyed.
But in v8, did the crowds come for Jesus’ teaching? Were they there for his gospel or because of who Jesus is? No! They came because of ‘everything he was doing’. That is made even clearer in 3:9-10. The crowds are pressing in on Jesus ‘since he had healed many, all who had diseases were pressing towards him to touch them’.
The crowd was out to get something from Jesus. They were there for healing. They believed Jesus could make them well, but they didn’t yet believe in Jesus, or accept who he is, or listen to his gospel, or seek to really follow him.
The point here is that seeking Jesus just to get something from him is not the same as following Jesus. What will these people do once they’re healed? Will they devote their lives to Jesus? Will they sell all and follow him? No. They’ve come to Jesus as their servicew provider. They’re no doubt grateful for his help, but when he’s done, they go their merry way.
Nobody follows their doctor. Nobody worships their doctor. We go because he can fix us and, when we’re fixed, we have nothing more to do with him. When Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, he likened himself to a doctor who has come for the sick. The Pharisees didn’t think they needed Jesus because they think they’re righteous and alright as they are. What is interesting is that the sick come to Jesus, but once they’re well, they think they’re fine and no longer need him too. Coming to Jesus because you need something from him is not the same as following Jesus.
Many people come to Jesus because they’re sick. They’re desperate and believe Jesus can help. Others come because they’re having a hard time in life and think Jesus can fix their problems. But if that is the only reason you come to Jesus, what’ll happen if Jesus won’t solve your problem? If Jesus won’t help, you’ll go elsewhere. What’ll happen if Jesus does solve it so you’ve no more problems? If you get what you need, you won’t need him anymore. Coming to Jesus to get something from him isn’t following Jesus.
If you are seeking Jesus because of your asylum claim, living situation, family needs, physical needs, and that’s the main reason you want him, just so he’ll fix your problem, you are not really following Jesus.
We might get it in those “worldly” cases. But what if we’ve come to Jesus because the thing we want is not going to Hell and we believe he’ll save us? Is that following Jesus? This seems different because being saved from Hell is a future thing. We’re not in Hell now and, to avoid it, I’ll obey Jesus all my days so I don’t end up there.
It’s easy to fool ourselves into thinking we’re following Jesus because we are genuinely trying to obey him, but we’re only doing it for what we can get. If we’re only seeking to obey Jesus, and only follow his teaching, to avoid Hell, what happens as soon as we’re in Heaven? We got what we needed, and we’re grateful, but essentially Jesus provided his service, sorted our ticket to heaven, and now we don’t need him. Is that meaningfully following Jesus? Of course it isn’t!
Given Jesus knows our hearts, that is not a basis on which we’ll make it into Heaven. If you are just seeking Jesus for what you can get from him, even if it’s essentially spiritual or biblical sounding things, you are not actually following Jesus at all.