What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?
The question of what does it mean to follow Jesus is one that has been asked by many throughout history. Jesus himself said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). This is an invitation to all who seek to be his disciples and to live out his teachings in their lives.
The answer to this question is found in the Bible, which is our source of truth and guidance. The Bible teaches us that to follow Jesus means to believe in him as Lord and Savior, to obey his commandments, and to live a life of service to others.
When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, it means that we are willing to put our entire trust in him and to live our lives according to his will. This includes accepting his teachings and striving to follow the example He set for us. We should seek to imitate Jesus in our behavior, attitudes, and words.
In addition to believing in Jesus, to follow him means to obey his commandments. This includes loving God, loving our neighbors, and striving to live out the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12). Obedience to Jesus requires us to take up our cross and deny ourselves, as he said in Matthew 16:24. It means living a life of humility and self-denial, putting the needs of others above our own.
Finally, to follow Jesus means to live a life of service to others. Jesus taught us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). This means that we should be willing to help those in need, both physically and spiritually. We should seek to share the love of God with those around us, and to look for opportunities to serve in our communities.
In summary, to follow Jesus means to believe in Him as Lord and Savior, to obey His commandments, and to live a life of service to others. It means denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and striving to live out the Beatitudes. It means loving God and loving our neighbors, and looking for opportunities to serve in our communities. By following Jesus, we can be sure that we are living out His will and making a difference in the lives of those around us.
It is important to remember that following Jesus is a lifelong journey, and it will not always be easy. We will face challenges, temptations, and obstacles along the way. But if we continue to strive to live out Jesus’ teachings and to put our trust in Him, we can be sure that He will guide us and lead us in the right direction.
We invite you to join us on this journey of following Jesus. It is a journey that will lead us to a life of joy, peace, and purpose. May God be with us all as we seek to follow Jesus.