Yes. You read that right.
I am not a fan of Jesus.
No, this does not mean that I'm not a Christian. In fact, I'm studying youth ministry in college. Even still, I'm not a fan of Jesus. Because I'm a follower of Jesus.
Most people would say, well that's basically the same thing. Well, they would be wrong. There is actually a big difference in being a fan of something and being a follower of something.
By definition, a fan is a person who is very enthusiastic about someone or something; a supporter.
By definition, a follower is a person who is a devotee of a particular person or cause; a person who moves or travels behind someone or something.
These definitions do look pretty similar, but if you dissect them, they turn out to be pretty different.
Let's start with being a fan. Being a fan means that you probably really like an artist's latest song, so you become a fan of them. You like their look or the things they do. You support their music or their tv show. But, more than likely, you wouldn't make any serious life decisions based on them.
That's where being a follower is different. To follow someone or something means that you devote your life to them and follow where they lead. You cut your hair the same way that your favorite artist or actor has their hair cut. You boycott certain places and things because they said you should. Your life is structured around them.
You see, as a Christian, I wouldn't want to be a fan of Jesus. When the going gets tough, I want to lean into Him and follow where He is leading me. I don't want to fall away from Him. A fan doesn't stay with someone when they are no longer the popular vote.
As a Christian, we should cling to Jesus more when things get tough. I want Christ to be at the center of my life. If I'm simply a fan of Him, then He's simply a part of my life and not the center of it. If He says I want you to move to Alaska and work for some company you've never heard of, I want to go because He said to. I don't want to think "well that cramps my style, so I think I'll just skip this one."
Jesus calls us to be followers of Him in all aspects of our lives. Matthew 16:24 says, "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" Jesus calls us to put aside all selfish cravings and thoughts and listen to Him. We are called to make all of our life decisions based on Jesus and where He is leading.
So, no, I'm not a fan of Him. I'm a follower of Jesus Christ.
