What would Jesus do about “follow up” of new converts?  Do you remember WWJD and the wristband phase of the 1990’s?  I didn’t wear the wristband, but like many, I was challenged to ask, “What would Jesus do?” when I needed to make a decision.

Fortunately, we can learn what Jesus did about follow up of new converts by looking in the Bible.

The whole question about what to do with new converts became real to me after I led a new acquaintance to Christ.  The very next day I drove to his home to give him a Bible.  While in his back yard I met his wife and asked her, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life like your husband?” She replied simply, “No.”  But I could tell she was interested, so I led her also to accept Christ as Savior.

Soon—I think it was while I was driving away—I felt a strange impression, “Don’t follow up on this couple.”  Since I’ve always been big on not leaving new converts out in the cold to die, I was shocked and perturbed.   I’ve led the follow-up committee for several crusades.   My teaching at evangelism seminars has been,” You wouldn’t neglect a new-born baby to die of starvation.  Don’t let that happen to a spiritual baby either.”

Was this “no follow-up” impression from God or from my own mind?  I did a Scriptural search to find out.  Reading through the New Testament, I found two instances where Jesus actually met again with a new believer. The first instance is the story in John 5:14 of the man who had been lame for 38 years.  The second is found in John 9:35, where Jesus went to the blind man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”  The second instance seems to me to be an intentional attempt to locate and follow up.

Perhaps Jesus did follow-up other new believers, but these are the only two recorded instances that I have identified.  This truth set me free.  Numbers of times I have chosen not to witness knowing I could not follow up with someone because of distance or some other reason.  Now I can freely witness and let the Spirit lead:  With some I will follow up, with others I will do what Jesus did—trust God for the seeds to grow.