Many of you have seen the movie “What About Bob.” For those who have not, it was a movie made in 1991 about Bob. A man who had many mental issues. He was so needy he consulted his psychiatrist about everything. Dr. Marvin explains to Bob he will be gone for a while, and that he will need to see another doctor. This explanation was not enough to cause Bob to seek other help. It only caused the wheels to turn as he determined he would follow the doctor on vacation. “What About Bob” is hilarious, but I think we can look at this character and gain insight into our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Bob is committed to only one doctor. Commitment is not a character trait that rules our society now. People break commitments as easily as they make them. The divorce rate in America is around 50%, and it is no different among Christians than it is among nonbelievers. It has decreased a little, but not because more people are staying committed to their spouse, it is because many are living together instead of getting married. They won’t even commit to marriage. Marriage is a holy union instituted by God from the beginning of mankind. Jesus said in Matthew 19:5 that they are to cleave to each other. They are to leave their mother and father and cling to one another. In Matthew 19:6, they become one flesh, and no one is to come between them. They are to be committed for life. While there are circumstances where God allows divorce, it was never His design.
Matthew 19:5-6 “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
If we are going to make it to Heaven, we must be committed to Christ. In II Timothy 1:12-13, Paul is talking about his commitment to Christ. He teaches us that we must be committed to the one with whom we have entrusted our soul. We are to “hold fast,” which simply means to hang on and don’t turn loose! Keep on keeping on.
II Timothy 1:12-13 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
Bob was a follower of Dr. Marvin. It didn’t matter where Dr. Marvin went Bob showed up. He was totally dependent on Dr. Marvin. He stuck so close to him that he almost drove the doctor crazy. He followed him on vacation. He showed up at his house, met his family, followed him to restaurants, and activities. If Dr. Marvin went, so did Bob. If you profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ, how close do you follow Him? Do you take Him on vacation? When away from home do you attend church, have your daily study time, and your prayer time? Jesus never intended for us to take a vacation from Him. Commitment requires that He is wherever we are. Our relationship with Him doesn’t change because we are on vacation. It should grow because we don’t have the everyday distractions. We are to follow Christ wherever He leads.
John 12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.”
Bob was a servant. In the movie, Bob is consumed with serving the doctor. He wants to do anything to be near the doctor and serve his family. He shows up at his vacation home and wants to help with everything, the kids, the meals, and whatever need he is ready to serve. We are to be the same in our relationship with Christ. We are to offer our bodies a living sacrifice to God. We are to serve others not ourselves. In Romans 12:1, Paul begs them to give themselves as a servant to God. Because of what God has done for us, we could never do too much for Him.
Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
I Samuel 12:24 “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.”
Bob was consumed with the doctor. Bob followed the doctor, served the doctor, and was committed to the doctor, and everyone who knew Bob knew the doctor. If you met Bob, he told you about the doctor. He proclaimed the doctor was the best in the business, and no one else could compare to the doctor. Those who knew Bob would say that he was obsessed with the doctor. Is that how you are with your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you talk about Him with complete strangers, friends, and family? Do you talk about Him so much that others think you are obsessed? Does it thrill your soul to tell someone what He has done for you? Are you consumed with Jesus Christ, so much that you try to work Him into your conversations? Do you spend time studying about Him so you will know Him better? Do you get excited when you find nuggets in scripture that turn on a light in your mind? If we are consumed with Christ, the answer to each of these questions should be a resounding YES!
While the movie “What About Bob,” was a very funny movie, causing you to laugh until you cried, and even have a soft spot for Bob, we would do well to mimic some of Bob’s character traits. Our relationship with Jesus Christ should be all-consuming. We are to love Him with everything in us, and when we do, we will be consumed with Him. Take stock of your heart today. Look at your actions and examine them against scripture.
Mark 12:30 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”
