Sometimes problems come about because there is conflict about who becomes the leader in a particular situation. You see this in the lives of children, but it continues even into our adult lives. There is a religious application of this in the deeper study of one particular Greek word and how it is used.
Sometimes there are situations where it makes no difference who goes first—the order is of no consequence. The Greek word proago is often used this way. It is a compound word combining the first part of the word (pro), which means “before,” with the second part of the word which means “to go.” It is used in the account of the triumphant entry of Jesus into the city. As you read the text, you visualize the multitude who surrounded the One who was riding on the donkey as He entered the holy city. The text describes how some preceded Him and how others followed. To look closely at this event shows that here it made no difference who went first.
The same word is used in the account of what transpired before Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples, who were about to lose their lives in a boat filling up with water. After He had fed the 5,000, He told the disciples to get into their boat and go across the Sea of Galilee while He dismissed the multitude. The use of this word indicates that it was His will for them to go first. Because He was their Master, they went ahead not knowing what was about to happen.
The word is used following His resurrection. The angels at the tomb told the women to deliver the message that they were to leave Jerusalem and meet Him in Galilee because He was going first to meet them there. The order made a difference. He was to go first, and He would be awaiting them there.
However, there is a time when it makes an eternal difference as to who goes first. The ESV reflects the better Greek manuscripts’ use of the word proago in its translation of John’s words. “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God” (2 John 9). We are absolutely forbidden to leave our place as a follower of the teaching of Jesus. When we “go on ahead” of His teaching, we rob Him who has all authority in heaven and on earth. In substance we say to Him, “You may have all authority in every place, but you do not have it in this place in my life!” There is an eternal consequence for our sinful attitude.
So, as you make choices in your life, humbly deny yourself and take up your cross and let Him go first. He is the leader in all spiritual choices. We leave Him behind when we fail to do what He says. Never forget He said, “I go first.”