Jesus was smiling as He walked along the shoreline, passing fishing vessel after fishing vessel. Looking out, not too far from the shore, he spotted the two brothers, Simon and Andrew, casting their nets. He paused briefly before calling out to them. He knew their lives were about to be radically transformed. Finally, he called out to them, “Come, follow me.”
Those three simple words have echoed through eternity and continue to radically change the lives of individuals who choose to follow Jesus.
Following Jesus Begins with Surrender
Following Jesus starts when we recognize our need for a Savior. Jesus said, “If any of you want to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23 NLT).
Following Christ means placing Him on the throne of our hearts and allowing His will to take precedence over our own. This surrender does not mean a loss of freedom. It is a gateway to true life. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). If we are to follow Jesus, it begins by choosing His way over our own.
Following Jesus Means Knowing His Word
You cannot follow someone you do not know. God reveals Himself through Scripture. Jesus prayed, “Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your Word, which is truth” (John 17:17 NLT).
Reading the Bible is not an academic exercise. It is an opportunity to hear God's voice and live by His truth. The psalmist wrote, “Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NLT). As disciples of Jesus, we must develop the practice of spending time in Scripture, allowing God’s truth to mold how we think, speak, and live.
Following Jesus Means Devoting Time to Prayer
Every meaningful relationship requires communication. Scripture is God speaking to us, and prayer is us speaking and listening to God. Prayer is more than presenting a list of requests. It is sharing life with God.
In our fast-paced world, prayer reminds us that we are not self-sufficient. It slows our hearts and refocuses our attention on what matters most in life. Jesus’ followers learn to bring every concern, burden, and joy to Him. Paul instructed believers, “Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT).
Following Jesus Means Living Differently
Being a follower of Christ transforms our behavior. Paul wrote, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2 NLT). As believers, we no longer measure success solely according to wealth, status, or popularity. Instead, we seek to reflect Christ in every area of our lives.
This change in behavior impacts how we conduct our business, use technology, manage money, treat our family members, and respond to conflict. The goal of a changed life is not perfection but true transformation. As we walk with Christ, the Holy Spirit gradually produces His character within us. Galatians 5:22 describes our new character by the Spirit producing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control in our lives.
Following Jesus Means Sharing Hope
Jesus’ final command was clear: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19 NLT). That means every follower of Jesus has been entrusted with the message of hope. Sharing our faith often happens through everyday conversations, acts of kindness, and a desire to tell others what Christ has done in our lives.
The people of this world are searching for meaning, purpose, and hope. Jesus’s followers can point people to Jesus, the One who satisfies the deepest needs of the human heart.
A Final Word
Following Jesus becomes a lifelong adventure. There will be moments of great faith and moments of struggle. There will be victories and setbacks. Yet through all of it, Christ remains faithful.
Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT). Following Jesus is not about perfection but direction. It means walking closely with our Savior one step at a time. And as we follow Him, we discover, like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, “our hearts burn within us” (Luke 24:32 NLT). So enjoy the journey with Jesus.
