When we are fans of Jesus rather than followers of Jesus, our focus is inward turned, like in fandoms, concerned with and finding full satisfaction in what we think and feel and believe.

If we are to truly be ushers of the kingdom of God, and if we really want to see “Thy Kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” then we can’t simply be fans of Jesus that find themselves caught up in the shared interests of those who look, think, and feel like us. We must pursue a different course, a different paradigm in which we find ourselves as not merely fans, but the “salt and light of this world.” We must seek to get caught up in the shared interests and lives of those outside of our circles so that they might find the kingdom of God here on earth through our authentic living out of Christ’s love.

(Matthew 16:24-25)

Then Jesus told his disciples, ’If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’