Following Jesus
Today we will talk about following Jesus. Many Christians do not know what this means. Following Jesus is not simply about attending church services or reading the Bible; it’s about establishing a genuine relationship with Him and applying His teachings in our everyday lives. A true follower of Jesus seeks to embody His love, grace, and teachings in every aspect of life. Let’s be open and reflective as we read through God’s word, exploring what it means to truly follow Him.
Meaning of Following Jesus
When we consider the term “following Jesus,” we embark on understanding its essence in a deeper way. The Hebrew word for “follow” is “אחר” (achar), which translates to “behind” or “with.” This signifies not only a physical following but an emotional and spiritual alignment with the path Jesus walked. In the Greek, the word used is “ἀκολουθέω” (akoloutheo), meaning to “join one as a disciple.” Following Jesus means committing ourselves to learn from Him, to emulate His actions, and to abide by His teachings. It’s about engaging our hearts, minds, and souls into a lifelong journey of discipleship.
Throughout history, the call to follow Jesus has echoed from the early disciples to us today, inviting believers not just to believe in Him but to actively engage in the transformation that comes with being His follower. This journey involves trials, joys, challenges, and growth. The commitment is holistic; it impacts our relationships, our values, and even our personal aspirations. For instance, in Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV), Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” This verse encapsulates the essence of following Jesus: it’s about self-denial and complete surrender to His will.
The Call to Discipleship
In the New Testament, Jesus extends an invitation to discipleship to everyone, regardless of their past or status. This call is not limited to the twelve disciples; it extends broadly to anyone willing to embark on this path of faith. The initial step involves making a conscious decision to follow Him and invite His guidance into our lives. In Matthew 4:19 (NIV), we read, “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” This invitation to follow was not about physical proximity; it was about being transformed and sent out to make a difference.
A significant aspect of this call is recognizing the sacrifice involved. Each disciple, including the first brothers, Peter and Andrew, had to leave their old lives behind. This act of leaving can serve as a metaphor for our readiness to let go of fears, doubts, and past failures to embrace a future filled with hope and purpose in Christ. It invites us to reflect—what are we willing to leave behind in pursuit of our Savior? Luke 14:26-27 (NASB) reads, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” This challenging statement ultimately underscores the need for prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else.
The Importance of Community in Following Jesus
As we choose to follow Jesus, we also recognize the value of community in this journey. The act of following Him is not meant to be a lonely endeavor. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) encourages us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” Being a part of a faith community enriches our walk and equips us to face life’s challenges together.
In the book of Acts, we see how the early church functioned as a unified body of believers, sharing their resources, supporting each other, and spreading the Gospel message. They understood that following Jesus was best lived out within the context of community. Galatians 6:2 (ESV) reminds us, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This calls us to actively participate in each other’s lives, lending support and encouragement as we walk this path together.
Moreover, being involved in community allows us to experience the fullness of love that Christ embodies, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles or celebrations. In John 13:34-35 (NIV), Jesus commanded us to love one another, saying, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” Our relationships within the body of Christ serve as a witness to the world of our commitment to following Him.
Obeying Jesus’ Teachings
Following Jesus inherently involves obedience to His teachings. Throughout His ministry, Jesus imparted wisdom on how to live a life aligned with God’s will. John 14:15 (ESV) states, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Here, love is equated with obedience, suggesting that our affection for Jesus manifests through our actions and choices. This doesn’t imply a robotic adherence to rules but reflects a desire to align our lives with Him for our good and His glory.
One notable teaching of Jesus was the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where He provided essential principles that guide our moral and ethical decisions. By embracing His teachings on mercy, forgiveness, and humility, we recognize that following Him means living differently from the world around us. In Matthew 7:21 (NIV), Jesus cautions, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” This emphasizes that our faith must be paired with action; true discipleship is about living out His teachings daily.
Moreover, Jesus demonstrated throughout His life the attitudes of servitude and humility that we are called to imitate. In Mark 10:43-45 (NIV), He teaches, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Following Jesus invites us to adopt an attitude of service, prioritizing the needs of others while reflecting Christ’s love through our actions.
The Role of Faith in Following Jesus
Faith is fundamental to following Jesus. It is the trust we place in Him as our Savior and Lord. Romans 10:17 (ESV) states, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Our journey of following Christ begins with an active faith that engages with Scripture and seeks understanding in the light of His word. We cultivate our faith through prayer, worship, and studying the Bible, developing a relationship rooted in trust and love.
Moreover, faith requires us to step out of our comfort zones and take risks, believing that God is at work even when circumstances seem uncertain. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Following Jesus will often take us to places we cannot predict or fully understand, but faith assures us that He is guiding our every step.
The life of Abraham serves as a prime example of faith in action. In Hebrews 11:8 (NIV), it relates, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” This captures the essence of following Jesus—being willing to step forward in faith, trusting in His plan even without clarity about the destination.
The Rewards of Following Jesus
Following Jesus comes with abundant blessings, both in this life and beyond. In John 10:10 (NIV), He assures us, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The fullness of life is a promise that resonates with those who choose to walk with Him. It speaks of not just existence but a life filled with purpose, hope, and joy that the world cannot give.
Additionally, following Jesus opens the door to experiencing His peace and joy in the midst of life’s challenges. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) emphasizes this through the promise of peace: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In our journey of following Him, we can experience a divine peace that soothes our fears and anxieties.
Finally, the ultimate reward of following Jesus is the eternal life promised to all who believe in Him. As stated in John 3:16 (ESV), “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This beautiful assurance propels us forward in our journey, knowing that our commitment to follow Jesus leads to a glorious future spent with Him.
Final Thoughts
Following Jesus is a calling that involves intentionality, sacrifice, and community. It encourages us to move beyond mere belief into a relationship that transforms us from the inside out. As we learn from His teachings, engage in acts of service, and nurture our faith, we reflect the love and grace He embodies.
In this journey, we find companionship with fellow believers, some of whom can help lighten our burdens. We discover that following Jesus shapes every part of our lives and leads us to experience true joy and purpose. In recognizing His sacrifices, we are compelled to live and love more like Him in an often chaotic world.
Ultimately, the promise of eternal life gives us hope that our journey here has a beautiful ending. Together, let’s respond to His invitation to follow Him wholeheartedly, embracing all He has for us in this life and the next.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4