“Double the Bubble!”  That is my dad-mantra when the weather is inclement or traffic is heavy.  No matter the age or driving record of my adult-children, I’m sure they need my ever-vigilant input on their driving skills.  One beating drum of warning is: “drive in the bubble.”  Maintain enough space from all other vehicles to have room to escape any unfolding traffic catastrophe.  And when road conditions or traffic are worse, “double the bubble.”

Following too closely is a leading cause of highway accidents, especially in our age of ‘distracted driving.’   But how close is “too close?”   The Arkansas Code requires that,

The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the speed of vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.

And if you are towing something on a highway, you may not follow any closer than 200’.  At 75 MPH, 200’ is only 1.8 seconds, giving you little time to react.  But more than that, when drivers follow too closely, road rage often erupts.  According to the Arkansas Department of Public Safety.

It is no surprise to most that 80 percent of drivers in America admit to experiencing significant anger, aggression or road rage at least once in the past year. Aggressive driving can be blamed for 66 percent of traffic fatalities, and road rage has been responsible for about 300 deaths since 2013, according to the National Highway and Transportation Administration (NHTSA)…  in 2024, 708 road rage cases have been reported to [Arkansas State Police], with more than 300 of those cases involving weapons. 

Among the stickers on Isabella’s Subaru, is one that challenges tailgaters, “Do you follow Jesus this closely?”  As a driver, following too closely is perilous but as a disciple not following too closely is deadly. 

Mark 10:32-45 records the final of Jesus’ three predictions of his passion.  Each becomes progressively more graphic and this final one echoes the language of Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22.  Yet ironically after each one, an argument breaks about among the disciples about their greatness and their kingdom privileges. 

This third and final prediction occurs as Jesus and the disciples are making the grueling trek up the 3,500 foot ascent to Jerusalem from Jericho.  The disciples, along with other pilgrims, are making the Passover ascent.  Jesus leads the group. The disciples follow in amazement but also fear.  As they travel Jesus reminds them of the dangers ahead and of His suffering, rejection, death and glory.  But they are deaf to anything but their own glory and privilege.

At some place along the way, James and John come to Jesus with an outrageous request.  The Gospel of Matthew records that it was their mother who brought the request to Jesus on behalf of these Sons of Thunder.  “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Their tone deafness to what it means to follow Jesus is so scandalous that we are prone to join Jesus’ censure, “are you yet so dull?”

But what about you?  Are you following Jesus closely enough?  Are you very different from the Twelve “on the way?” Are you distracted by thoughts of your own greatness?  Has your faith given you the courage to follow closely when there is suffering, persecution, rejection?  Are you fixing your eye on Jesus or on the rights and privileges you feel you should receive as Christians?  Are you following so closely that you are becoming more like Jesus in your compassion, service, love, and self-sacrifice?  Could you be ticketed for following Jesus too closely?

Join us we examine Mark 10:32-45 and consider what it looks like to follow Jesus closely.  We meet Sundays at 10:30 am on the square in Pottsville, Arkansas right next to historic Potts’ Inn for worship.  Get directions here or contact us for more info.  Or join our livestream on YouTube.