He asked Santa Claus for a puppy. When he didn’t get it, he stopped believing in Santa Claus.

She prayed for a bicycle. When she didn’t get it, she stopped believing in God.

When the church encourages non-Christians to believe in Jesus with the promise that God will give them everything they need and want—in short, when the church presents Jesus as if He was Santa Claus—it will ultimately fail. People will not get what they were promised, they will be disappointed, and they will abandon the faith.

We should think clearly about what it is that will attract permanent followers to Jesus.

Some politicians try to become popular by promising to give people everything they need or want. It does not work in the long run because it results in an inefficient government and an unproductive society.

Winston Churchill, on the other hand, was a great leader. When he became prime minister of the United Kingdom at the beginning of the Second World War, he promised his people “blood, toil, tears and sweat.” But he also promised them a purpose and victory over the Nazis.

When the shepherds were told that Jesus, the Savior, Messiah, and Lord, had been born, the angels said that this was “good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV).  

When Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to the temple, the prophet Simeon called Him God’s “salvation” and “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” But Simeon also told Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:25-35).

When Jesus called the first disciples to follow Him, He didn’t tell them all the wonderful things He would do for them. Instead, He told them what He wanted them to do for Him: “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19).

When the apostle Paul was dramatically called to follow Jesus, God revealed to Ananias, “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15-16).

When He announced His own impending death, Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

When Jesus calls Christians to follow Him, He does not promise us that we will have an easy life or that all of our wishes and desires will be fulfilled. He promises us enduring value, an identity (as children of God and followers of Jesus), a relationship with Him, membership in the family of God, forgiveness of sins, a renewed heart, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a place in heaven, and an extraordinary purpose—to participate in building the Kingdom of God.