It is well known that Christ consistently used the expression "follower." He never sought out fans, admirers, adherents or even worshippers. No, what He sought was disciples. It was not adherents to a teaching, but followers of a life that Christ was looking for.
Christ understood that being a "disciple" was the only way to respond to the things He revealed about Himself. He claimed to be the way, the truth and the life [John 14:6]. For this reason, He could never abide adherents who only accepted His teaching -- especially those who lived their lives without the application of the principles He taught. He lived His entire life on earth, from beginning to end, in such a way as to make being an "admirer" impossible but, instead, to demand followership.
Christ came into the world with the purpose of saving it rather than instructing it. At the same time -- as is implied by His saving work -- He came to be the pattern, to leave footprints for us to follow should we decide to join Him. This is why Christ was born and died in lowliness. It would be absolutely impossible for any of us to describe the life He lived as having inherent worldly advantages for those who are called and choose to follow it. In that sense, to "admire Christ" has become the false invention of a later age, aided by its inherent presumption of "loftiness." He never really gave us that choice and if He had there was absolutely nothing intrinsic to admire in Christ, unless we would want to admire poverty, misery and the contempt of His peers.
So what then, is the difference between a fan [admirer] and a follower [disciple]? A follower is or strives to be what he admires. An admirer [fan], however, keeps himself personally detached. He fails to see that what is admired involves a claim on him, and thus he fails to be or strive to be what he admires.
To want to admire instead of follow Christ is not necessarily an invention by bad people. No, it is more an invention by those who spinelessly keep themselves detached, who keep themselves at a safe distance. Admirers are related to the admired only through the excitement of the imagination. To them he is like an actor on the stage except that, this being real life, the effect he produces is somewhat stronger. But for their part, admirers make the same demands that are made in the theater or the ballpark: to sit safe, still and calm. Admirers are only all too willing to serve Christ so long as proper caution is exercised, lest one personally come in contact with danger. As such, they refuse to accept that Christ's life is a demand on theirs. In actuality, they are offended by Him. His radical, bizarre character so offends them that when they honestly see Christ for who He is, they are no longer able to experience the comfort and tranquility they so desire. They know all too well that to associate with Christ to closely holds their own lives up for examination. And while He may say nothing directly against them, they know that His life tacitly judges theirs.
And it is indeed true that Christ's life makes it terrifyingly manifest just what a dreadful untruth it is to admire the truth instead of following it. And when there is no danger or cost apparent to our Christianity, it is all to easy to confuse an admirer with a follower. In fact, the admirer can suffer the delusion that the position he takes is the true one, when in reality all he is doing is playing it safe. We must always give heed to the call of discipleship.
To those who know the story of Christ's life there is no doubt that Judas Iscariot was an admirer of Christ. And we know that from the beginning of Christ's ministry that He had many admirers/fans. So how did this admirer become a traitor in a mere three years time? But really, isn't that the way of the admirer? The fairweather fan? Those who only admire the truth, will, when danger appears, often betray the one they admire. The admirer is infatuated with the false security of greatness; but if/when there is any inconvenience or trouble, he will typically pull back. Admiring the truth, instead of following it, is just as dubious as the fire of erotic love, which at the turn of the hand can be changed into exactly the opposite, to hate, jealously and revenge.
Consider the story of another admirer in the gospels -- Nicodemus [John 3]. Unwilling to risk his reputation, he came to Jesus under the cover of night. So far as we know he never became a follower but he definitely was an admirer. It was as if he had said to Christ, "If we are able to reach a compromise, you and me, then I will accept your teaching in eternity. But here in this world, no, that I cannot bring myself to do. Could you not make an exception for me? Could it not be enough if once in a while, at great risk to myself, I come to you during the night; but during the day continue to act as if I do not know you. You must realize how humiliating it is for me and how disgraceful, and even insulting this is toward you." Certainly the webs woven by the admirer can be awkward and unseemly.
Nicodemus, I have not doubt, was likely well-meaning. I am also sure that he was tantalized by the truths of Christ's teaching. But is it not true that the more strongly someone identifies with the words of another while his life remains unchanged, the more he is only making a fool of himself? Suppose Christ had permitted a less costly version of being a follower or disciple -- suppose He allowed an admirer who swore on all that is high and holy that he is convinced -- then Nicodemus might have very well have been accepted. But he was not!
Nevertheless, the difference between the fan and follower still remains, no matter who or where we are. The admirer never makes any true sacrifices. He always plays it safe. Though in words, speech or even singing he may be inexhaustible in how he prizes Christ, nevertheless, he renounces nothing, he gives up nothing, he will not reorient his life, he will not become what he admires [this is often true in sports as well, as the life of the fan takes far less dedication than the life of the athlete that he supposedly "idolizes"]. Not so for the follower/disciple. No. The follower aspires with all his strength, will all his will, with all his might to become what he admires. And then remarkably enough, even if he is living among a "Christian people," the same danger lies for him as was once the case when it was dangerous to openly confess Christ. And as a result of the follower's life, it becomes evident just who the admirers are as well, and as a result the admirers will rise up against him. It will be as Christ promised us, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own" [John 15:18, 19].
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