阅读经文 

群众热情洋溢地跟从耶稣，这是可以理解的，祂曾医好了很多病人，这些事已在众人中传开了。

耶稣来呼召人跟从祂，但祂不是一个追求声望的名流或攫取权力的人；祂来是要带给我们神国的好消息，并赐新生命给世人。令人注意的是，邪灵见到耶稣时，它们也会呼喊说：“祢是神的儿子”——它们说的当然是真的啦。

在今天马可福音这段经文中，我们看到，单就表达出对耶稣的热诚或正确地说出耶稣是谁——虽然两者都看似是好事 ——但惟有与门徒身份关联的时候才真正具有价值。所以，耶稣特别拣选某些跟随者来作祂的门徒。

祂设立十二个人，让他们可以从祂身上学习，并传讲祂托付的信息。这些门徒有他们各自的缺点、需求、性格、恐惧——在跟随耶稣的这几年中，他们都犯了不少错误。然而，他们的确在跟从耶稣。期间他们也会短暂流露出热诚，有时甚至宣告相信耶稣是“神的儿子”的真理。

我们跟从耶稣时，有些日子显得比其他的日子更容易。有时我们热切地跟从祂、与祂同在、宣告关于祂是谁的正确信仰告白，但有些时候却较为困难。我们要记着，耶稣不是在追求名声，祂乃是呼召人作门徒。

It is understandable that large crowds followed Jesus with enthusiasm. He had healed many, and word had gotten around.

Jesus had come to call followers, but he was not seeking fame like a celebrity or a power-­grabber. He came so that he could bring the good news of God’s kingdom and give people new life. Remarkably, even when evil spirits saw Jesus, they would cry out, “You are the Son of God”—which of course was true.

In our reading from Mark today we see that simple enthusiasm or saying the right words about who Jesus is—both of which seem like good things—are only of value to Jesus when they are tied to discipleship. So Jesus specifically chose some followers to be his disciples.

He appointed twelve so that they could learn from him and preach his message. Disciples come with their own flaws, needs, characters, and fears—and these twelve made their share of mistakes over the years. But they did follow Jesus, and they would show flashes of enthusiasm, even at times confessing the truth that Jesus is “the Son of God.”

When we follow Jesus, some days are easier than others. Some days we can be passionate about following him, being with him, and getting our confession right. But other days are harder. Remember, Jesus isn’t looking for fame; he is making disciples.