I want to continue our meditation on relationship. Several years ago, I was filling in for a pastor who wanted me to include five essential steps in the progression of following Jesus as seen on the left side of the chart below: belief, repentance, confession, baptism, and discipleship. As I was thinking about it, I realized those five steps are remarkably similar to the marriage relationship on the right side of the chart (not surprising since we are often referred to as “the bride of Christ”). 

Let’s look briefly at a few highlights:

• First, genuine relationship with Jesus is more like the relationship between Eddie and Barbie Broussard than it is like the thousands lined up to chant “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday.
• People’s views on baptism are all over the place on who, when, how, and how important. But no one would argue that baptism without the other four steps means anything. It would be like buying and wearing a wedding ring when you don’t have a spouse! 
• Too many churches stop at step 3 or 4. I heard a pastor say, “Get ’em saved and baptized! That’s what we’re about!” Making discipleship an optional add-on is as silly as the bride and groom going back to their separate homes after the wedding ceremony. 

Beginning tomorrow I want to contrast those who had a relationship with Jesus with those who were merely around him. Remember, thousands of people experienced various parts of Jesus’ ministry: healings, miraculous meals, people raised from the dead, grand parades, etc., and there were only 120 followers in the Upper Room after the resurrection.

Then you will say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” But he will reply, “I don’t know you…” (Luke 13.26, 27, NIV)

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. (1 Corinthians 15.1, 2, ESV)