Come Be My Follower - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site

140
“COMEBEMYFOLLOWER”
them, perhaps even cradling some infants “in the crook
of his arm,” as one translator puts it. Clearly, Jesus is fond
of children. However, we learn something else about him
here—he is approachable.
4 If Jesus had been a stern, cold, or proud man, likely
those children would not have been drawn to him; nor
would their parents have felt free to approach him. As
you picture the scene, can you not just see the parents
beaming as this kind man shows his affection for their
children, acknowledges the children’s worth in God’s
eyes, and blesses them? Indeed, though Jesus was burdened
with the heaviest of responsibilities, he remained
the most approachable of men.
5 Who else found Jesus approachable? What made him
so easy to approach? And how can we learn to be like
Jesus in this regard? Let us see.
Who Found Jesus Approachable?
6 As you read the Gospel accounts, you may be struck by
the way that great numbers of people did not hesitate to
approach Jesus. For example, in connection with him, we
often read of “great crowds.” “Great crowds followed him
from Galilee.” “Great crowds gathered to him.” “Great
crowds approached him.” “Great crowds were traveling
with him.” (Matthew 4:25; 13:2; 15:30; Luke 14:25) Yes,
Jesus was often surrounded by multitudes of people.
7 Generally, these were the common folk, those whom
the religious leaders contemptuously referred to as “people
of the land.” The Pharisees and priests openly said:
4, 5. (a) How can we be sure that Jesus was approachable? (b) What
questions will we examine in this chapter?
6-8. Jesus was often in the company of whom, and how did his attitude
toward them differ from that of the religious leaders?