What does it mean to follow Jesus? - Following - TouchPoints

Matthew 19:27Peter said to him [Jesus], “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”

Mark 8:34Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he [Jesus] said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Luke 14:27“If you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”

Following Jesus means leaving behind anything that might take our focus off him and devoting ourselves to him with all our hearts. Thinking less about what we are giving up and more about God’s blessings and benefits will make following Jesus desirable.

Luke 5:11As soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Following Jesus means more than acknowledging him as our Savior. It means reorienting our lives so that, no matter what we do, we do it as service to him. For example, we may be in sales, so we view our selling as a means to supply people’s needs with fairness and integrity. We may repair cars, so we view our work as an opportunity to help others in times of stress—both through the quality of our work and the way we treat our customers. Jesus calls his followers to be his witnesses in many places and in many ways.

John 10:27“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Being a disciple of Jesus is simply a matter of following him with a willing heart. He will bless us not because of our ability, but our availability.

Matthew 16:24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Following Jesus is not a hobby, nor is it a sentimental experience—it is a costly commitment. Jesus’ love is too wonderful and his work too important for anything less than our complete devotion.

Matthew 5:16“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

When we claim to be followers of God, our actions should point to him. Others will want to follow when they like what they see.