30 bible verses about following jesus (With Explanation)

Today we will talk about bible verses about following Jesus. Many Christians do not fully understand what it truly means to follow Him. Following Jesus involves more than mere acknowledgment; it’s about living out His teachings in our daily lives. We find joy and purpose when we commit ourselves to Him wholeheartedly. As we explore these scriptures together, let us open our hearts and minds, meditating on the wisdom they offer and how they can guide us in our spiritual journey.

Bible Verses About Following Jesus

The Call to Follow Jesus

When we think about what it means to follow Jesus, the first thing that comes to mind is the call He extends to each of us. This is an invitation, not just an instruction. In the Bible, Jesus calls us to leave behind our old ways and embrace a new identity with Him. Following Jesus isn’t simply about walking behind Him; it’s about embracing His ways, values, and life direction. This means committing ourselves to His mission and allowing ourselves to be transformed by His love. When we answer His call, we enter into a life that is filled with purpose and hope. Together, let’s dig into the scriptures that illuminate this call to follow Jesus.

Matthew 4:19

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” – Matthew 4:19

Luke 9:23

“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” – Luke 9:23

John 10:27

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27

Matthew 16:24

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” – Matthew 16:24

John 12:26

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” – John 12:26

The Nature of Discipleship

Following Jesus calls us into a deep relationship—what we often refer to as discipleship. Discipleship is not just about attending church or reading the Bible, but it’s about being transformed by the teachings and love of Jesus. When we engage in true discipleship, we grow in our understanding and application of His words. Our lives become a reflection of Him, guiding us to love others and fulfill our purpose. Let us explore the scriptures that help us comprehend this enriching journey of discipleship together.

Matthew 28:19-20

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

Philippians 3:14

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14

Luke 14:27

“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:27

2 Timothy 2:3

“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 2:3

Matthew 10:38

“Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:38

Following Jesus With Love

At the heart of following Jesus is the command to love. Jesus models unconditional love, and He urges us to extend that same love toward others. When we follow Jesus, our actions should be rooted in love. This love is not just a sentiment; it’s an active choice we make to put others before ourselves, serve humbly, and share kindness. As we dive into these next verses, let’s reflect on how we can embody this love as we follow Jesus together.

John 13:34

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

1 John 4:19

“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

Romans 13:10

“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10

Galatians 6:2

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

1 Corinthians 16:14

“Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14

The Fruit of Following Jesus

Following Jesus leads to the transformation of our lives, and this change brings forth wonderful fruit. The Bible talks about the fruit of the Spirit, which represents the qualities we develop as we grow closer to Him. When we embrace this journey, our character reflects love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These traits not only bless us but also those around us, encouraging others to find Him too. Let’s look at how the Scriptures encourage us regarding the fruit we bear in our lives as we follow Jesus.

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Matthew 7:17

“Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” – Matthew 7:17

Colossians 1:10

“So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” – Colossians 1:10

John 15:8

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” – John 15:8

Trust and Faith in Following Jesus

To follow Jesus, trust and faith become essential ingredients in our relationship with Him. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones and place our assurance in His promises, even when the path isn’t clear. Trusting Jesus means believing in His plan for our lives and that He is always with us, guiding our steps. As we look into the scriptures about faith, let’s reflect on how we can deepen our trust in Him as we navigate our journey of following Jesus together.

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

Mark 11:22-24

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” – Mark 11:22-24

Matthew 21:22

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22

Romans 10:17

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” – Romans 10:17

The Cost of Following Jesus

One of the more challenging aspects of following Jesus is recognizing that it may come with a cost. Jesus is honest with us about the sacrifices required to be His disciple. This could mean letting go of certain desires, facing challenges, or standing firm in faith amid opposition. However, the blessings and rewards of following Him far outweigh these moments of sacrifice. As we explore the scriptures on this topic, let’s remind ourselves that every commitment to follow Jesus enriches our lives in ways we can’t always see.

Luke 14:28

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” – Luke 14:28

Matthew 10:39

“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39

Mark 8:34

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” – Mark 8:34

John 15:20

“Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” – John 15:20

Matthew 8:22

“But Jesus told him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’” – Matthew 8:22

Leading Others to Follow Jesus

As we follow Jesus, we become a part of something greater than ourselves. We are called to share the good news, encouraging others to join us on this journey. Sharing our testimony and being a light in the world reflects the love of Christ and draws others closer to Him. The more we follow Jesus, the more we naturally inspire those around us to explore their own relationship with Him. Let’s look at passages that motivate us to be effective witnesses as we invite others to follow Jesus with us.

Matthew 5:16

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

1 Peter 2:9

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9

Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

Romans 10:14

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” – Romans 10:14

Colossians 4:5

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” – Colossians 4:5

The Blessings of Following Jesus

Following Jesus does not only come with challenges and costs; it also brings countless blessings that enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. These blessings are both spiritual and practical, from experiencing peace and joy to receiving guidance and love. As we reflect on the blessings mentioned in the scriptures, let’s remind ourselves of the beauty that comes from following Jesus, inspiring us to share these blessings widely.

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

James 1:12

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12

John 14:2-3

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – John 14:2-3

Final Thoughts

As we reflect on the journey of following Jesus, it’s clear that this path is filled with both challenges and immense blessings. We are called to a transformative relationship that affects how we love others, trust in God, and lead those around us. Each scripture we explored serves as a guiding light, illuminating how we can grow closer to Him and deepen our faith.

Following Jesus invites us into a vibrant community with Him and encourages us to reach out to others, sharing the hope and joy we found in this relationship. Its importance stretches beyond personal gain, as the love we embody can ripple out and impact the world around us.

Let’s continue to seek His words, trust in His guidance, and wholeheartedly answer His call. Together, we can experience the fullness of life that comes from following Jesus with all our hearts.

Further Reading

30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)

4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4