What Did Jesus Mean When He Said Follow Me

What Does Jesus Mean By Saying “Follow Me?”

“Follow Me,” Jesus instructs us, but what does He mean by that?

A Christ-Follower

I feel it is preferable to refer to believers as “Christ-followers” rather than “Christians” when referring to them as believers. As Christians, we are identified as believers, but because the term “Christian” has become so generic today, anyone can claim to be a Christian. As Christ-followers, we are distinguished by the fact that we claim to follow Christ wherever He leads, which may include places and circumstances that are extremely difficult or even dangerous. Jesus never approached someone and said, “Let me into your heart,” or “accept Me.” Instead, He wants us to demonstrate our love for Him by responding to His command to “Follow Me” (Matt 4:19) and then following Him.

We don’t place our faith in a decision card, or in coming to the altar, or in “accepting Jesus.” We put our faith in God.

That is how a person is reborn, or how a person is born from above (John 3:3-7).

Follow Me

When Jesus walks up to people He has summoned and says, “Follow Me,” there are dozens of instances when this occurs. “While strolling by the Sea of Galilee, he came across two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, who were casting a net into the sea since they were fisherman. He stopped to talk with them.” They followed him, and he told them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishermen.” Right away, they abandoned their nets and chased after him.” (See Matthew 4:18-20.) This passage makes no mention of these men stopping to weigh their options or conferring with one another; rather, it simply states, “Immediately they abandoned their nets and followed Him” (Matt 4:20).

They had no idea what they were getting themselves into at the time.
Once again, there is no sign that Matthew was required to pause and reflect on what he was going to do.
All that is said is, “And he rose and followed him” (Matt 9:9b).
We must make a radical change in our way of life, placing the kingdom of God above all else (Matt 6:33).

Counting the Cost

Those who follow Christ were instructed by Christ to weigh the consequences of their decision before following Him. In Luke 14:28, Jesus said, “Who among you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see whether he has enough money to construct it?” Further, He claims that “everyone who has given up houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or lands for the sake of my name will get a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matt 19:29). Such a passionate love for Christ might appear to be hate toward our own family members because of the intensity of our feelings for Him.

It is important to note that this inheritance is not for this world or anything in this world, but rather for the world that is yet to be created.

That is, if we have considered the consequences and have discarded all else in order to follow Him.

Putting Christ First

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his or her own father or mother or wife or children or brothers or sisters, or even his own life, he or she cannot be my disciple, according to Jesus. However, as previously stated, we are instructed to love others; however, the love we demonstrate for Christ is so much greater that if you compare the love we have for Jesus and the love we have for family, it almost appears to be hate. Jesus is not urging us to hate our families, but rather to love Him as if our families are hostile to Him.

Conclusion

To follow Christ, we must be realistic about the costs involved, which means we must die to ourselves and our own interests in order to live for Christ. According to Jesus, “anyone does not deny himself and take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matt 10:38), and more precisely, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt 10:42). (Matt 16:24). When it comes to the Day of Judgment, one last warning comes directly from Jesus’ own mouth: “On that day many will come to me and say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many marvelous deeds in your name?'” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; leave from me, you workers of lawlessness,” as if they were strangers to me (Matt 7:22-23).

Did you catch what I was saying?
They did not consider the consequences of their actions and instead pursued their own wants, making them unworthy of Him.
“I never knew you,” He adds.
If you are going to follow Him wherever He takes you, you must die to yourself and not love anybody or anything more than He does first (including your own family).
You might also be interested in the following: Do you understand your place in God’s Kingdom?
Scripture excerpts are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), which was published by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers in 2001 under copyright protection.

Permission has been granted to use. All intellectual property rights are retained. Follow me,Jesus’ words,Christian Answers are some of the tags associated with this post.

What Does Jesus Expect When He Says, “Follow Me”?

As Jesus informed His followers, “and whomever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of being called my disciple.” It is impossible to claim His name unless we are prepared to follow Him wherever He may lead us. As Christians, we are called to take up our cross on a daily basis in order to maintain pace with Christ. “Ah, that’s just my cross to bear,” a buddy remarked after returning from a sumptuous vacation. “Ah, that’s just my cross to carry.” Cross-bearing, on the other hand, is a serious business.

Those difficult situations may truly weigh heavily on our hearts, yet there is a deeper truth to be found in cross-bearing.
Under Roman control, the crucifixion was seen as a humiliating instrument of scorn, humiliation, and excruciating death.
He gave his life in order to save ours.
Followers are exhorted to “die to self”—to crucify their body and relinquish control over all they hold dear for the sake of Christ.
Although Jesus never stated that we will suffer innumerable losses if we follow Him, the question that may be raised is, “Am I prepared to bear loss for Him, even awful, gut-wrenching loss?” This is a question that shows our hearts.
They chose to bear their cross for the sake of Christ, siding with the Overcomer in the midst of all their difficulties.
When life is pleasant and painless, following Jesus is relatively simple; but, our devotion is demonstrated through our most difficult difficulties, when discipleship is challenging and sacrificial in nature.
It is the decision to give up our belongings, goals, deepest hopes, most precious earthly loves, and all else for the advancement of God’s purposes and glory that we are called to take up our crosses.
Jesus anticipates that we would follow Him cheerfully, loyally, dutifully, and fully in all we do.
Believers in Christ do not live to please themselves; they live to please the Holy One who commands us to “Follow Me.” Dawn Wilson and her husband Bob reside in the Southern California region of the country.
At Revive Our Hearts, Dawn aids author and radio personality Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth with research and collaborates with a number of different departments.

Dawn and her husband are also involved in ministry with Pacesetter Global Outreach, which they travel with. Photograph courtesy of @Thinkstock/leolintang.

Jesus said Follow Me

the alphabetical index of the city of Selah “Follow Me!” says the leader. The combination of the two words forms a directive that appears thirteen times in the Gospels. When Jesus summoned Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be His disciples, He used only those two simple words to express His gratitude (Matthew4:19). “And as soon as they saw Him, they left their nets and followed Him” (v. 20). Similarly, Jesus addressed the taxcollector Matthew by his own name. “Follow Me!” Jesus said to him. “And he arose and followed Him,” the Bible says (9:9).

In order to be saved, it was implied in Jesus’ invitation that we must turn away from our sin and toward Him.
(See also John 21:19.) There are several allusions to persons who have followedJesus.
Following Jesus in a personal way is what it means to be a disciple.
It is not only an invitation, but rather an animperative order.
“They instantly abandoned the boat and their father, and followed Him,” James and John later said.
4:22).
Without obedience to Christ, there is no genuineChristianity to be found.

The real believer commits himself or herself to living a life of obedience to Christ.

The practice of listening for His voice and obeying Him has been ingrained in their hearts.

3-4).

5).

(v.

For those who have a predisposition to disbelieve such a huge spiritual reality, Jesus goes on to add in the next verse, “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is capable of taking them from My Father’s hand” (v.

Who are the people you are following?

Is it Jesus, or someone else?

Jesus invites sinners to come and follow Him.

9:13).

He understood human nature, and He knows everyone of us personally.

His call is a call to repentance and reconciliation.

A sinner cannot follow Jesus unless he makes a significant shift in the course of his life.

It is difficult to follow Christ if one does not repent first.

No one can follow Christ until they first repent.

That is the only way we can react to His call to “Come and follow!” He has issued to us.

It is difficult to follow Him if one does not have faith in Him.

We are either pursuing our own objectives or those of someone else.

“When Jesus calls a man to come and follow Him, He also calls him to come and die,” says the Bible.

When someone chooses to follow Me, he or she must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Me.

16:24-25).

Will you follow Jesus and live a life of obedient faith in the process?

Wil Pounds’ message from 2006 (c) Wil Pounds YOU WILL RECEIVE A FREE GIFT CHRISTIN OLD TESTAMENT PERFORMANCE KEYWORD DOCTRINESBIBLE STUDIESA DOCTRINE IS A The author has given his or her permission for anybody to use and distribute this content, but it may not be sold under any circumstances without the author’s express authorization.

In the words of The Lockman Foundation, “Scripture derived from theNEWAMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE” is protected by copyright since 1960 and has been used with permission since 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995.” (www.Lockman.org) Permission was granted to use the scripture.
from 1996 to 2006.
Wil graduated from WilliamCarey University with a B.
M., and from Azusa Pacific University with a Master’s in Arts.
From 1972 through 2005, he served as the director of a daily expository Bible teaching ministry in more than 100 nations.
Wil and his wife Ann are the parents of three adult daughters.

He is presently employed as a Baptist pastor in Ecuador, where he also teaches seminary extension courses. Bibleword studies for sermon preparation, sermons, devotions, and personal Bible studies that are based on enduring principles and practical applications are available.

Key Word Studies on Bible DoctrinesStatementof FaithSe Habla Español

The arrival of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is the overarching topic of the Bible, and these predictions and types inthe Old Testament provide an excellent starting point.

Expository Sermons

Free sermons and Bible studies indexed by Scripture reference and theological studies for your convenience.

WHAT DID JESUS REALLY MEAN WHEN HE SAID FOLLOW ME?

Written by: David Platt OMF Literature Inc. is the publisher of this work. This hue denotes a personal revelation from the Chapter for the wearer. The first chapter is titled THE GREAT INVITATION. At the end of the day, the call to follow Jesus is a call to death – a call to die to ourselves as well as a call to die to things of this world. This is a call to live, as well as a call to be joyful as we follow Jesus wherever he takes us in this world. Faith is the acceptance of the fact that God’s joy in you will never be contingent on your success in his service.

Repentance is a rich biblical phrase that denotes a fundamental shift in a person’s mind, heart, and life.
When people repent, they shift their focus from walking in one direction to racing in the opposite direction of their previous movement.
It is when you come to Jesus that he not only forgives you but also infuses you with his Holy Spirit.
“I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit in you,” God has promised his people.
You will find that when you come to Jesus, he will place the source of his life at the center of your life as well.
Yes, we die to ourselves and to earthly pleasures when we follow Him, but we also live to experience complete delight as a result of our decision.
It’s not always about us, either.

The moment we approach to Him in our natural state, He deposits the source of His life right at the center of our selves.

Jesus approached those four fishermen by the sea and invited them to abandon their occupations, assets, hopes, aspirations, family and friends, as well as their safety and security in order to follow him into the unknown.

“If anybody wants to follow me, he must deny himself,” Jesus would declare over and over again in his teachings.

Jesus, on the other hand, is not changeable.

He has plainly shown himself to us via His Word, and we have no authority to attribute personal characteristics to him.

In John 6, Jesus performed a miracle by magically feeding a large multitude of people with a boy’s lunch.

To come to Jesus, or to believe in Jesus, is to place your trust in him as the source of eternal satisfaction for your soul.

Being a believer in Jesus means that you will be able to enjoy an everlasting pleasure that will outshine and outlast all of the transient joys that this world has to offer.

The expense of following is well worth it.

They are incomprehensible, incomprehensible, and unknowable.

THE THIRD CHAPTER: THE GREAT CHANGE When we decide to follow Jesus, we are making a clear rupture with our old way of life and turning decisively toward a new way of existence.

Our perceptions shift throughout time.

Our desires shift throughout time.

Our intentions shift.

Our interpersonal interactions shift throughout time.

The more we exalt Him, the more we delight in Him, and the more we comprehend that this is what it means to be a Christian according to the Bible, the more we rejoice.

When we respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow him, it transforms the way we interact with everyone around us – both Christians and non-Christians alike.

Coming to Christ entails being a member of his spiritual community.

However, followers of Jesus don’t simply love and serve fellow Christians in the church; they also love and serve the world.

If you follow me, I will make you fishers of men,” Jesus said the four fishermen who were called to be his first disciples when he summoned them.

When it comes to being disciples of Jesus, it is impossible to avoid making disciples of all countries.

As a result, we create disciples among all peoples and in the most difficult of environments because we desire to see more and more people come to know Jesus.

People in our immediate vicinity yearn to witness a manifestation of Christ that goes hand in hand with our explanation of Christ.

Jesus’ followers are responsible for making more disciples of Jesus.

When we follow Him, everything about us changes.

We take pleasure in His presence the instant we set our attention upon Him.

When we grasp the substance of the Lord’s teaching, we wish to disciple others to follow in His footsteps.

We are motivated to follow Him because of His love for us.

We will continue to spread His message until everyone has heard it.

It is risky to go out and create disciples if you do not see any improvements in your own person.

The book is really important to my spiritual journey, and I highly recommend it.

It has assisted me in shifting my viewpoint and seeing things from God’s point of view instead. When we simply make ourselves accessible and give our complete participation to His efforts, we enjoy Him and He enjoys us in return.

Jesus Said “Follow Me”

My hubby and I just went hiking at a new state park. We walked around 8 kilometers, which is quite a distance for us. Even with snack breaks and a leisurely lunch by a lovely, rippling stream, we were exhausted by the time we reached the end. Because of his terrible knees and my bad back, one of us would occasionally fall behind. For a period of time, I was in the lead, and I checked behind me every few minutes to make sure he was still there and following me. What I was wondering is if that is how Jesus sees us.

Is it possible that we’ve strayed from the path?

In return for accepting His offer to follow Him, what does Jesus expect of people who do so?

Follow Me Bible Verse

In the Gospels, Jesus says “follow me” a total of thirteen times. “As Jesus was strolling along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he came across two brothers, Simon named Peter and his brother Andrew. He called them both disciples, and they accepted his invitation.” They were fishing, so they were tossing a net into the lake to catch some fish. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus invited them, and he promised to make them fishers of men. They immediately abandoned their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 (New International Version).

With their father Zebedee at the helm, they were out on the water preparing their nets.

Jesus addressed Matthew, the tax collector, in a same manner: “As Jesus continued his journey, he came across a guy named Matthew who was seated in the tax collector’s booth.

What Did Jesus Mean When He Said Follow Me?

Jesus was urging on these guys to leave their jobs as soon as possible and to physically and spiritually commit themselves to him. A Rabbi—a teacher —Jesus asked them to accompany Him on His journeys and study from Him because He considered them to be a privilege. A rabbinical student who performed very well would never have left school to work in a trade like as fishing or as a tax collector. As a result, these guys were able to continue their spiritual education with the Messiah himself! It didn’t matter if they weren’t really clear what that meant.) When Andrew first encountered Jesus, he spent the entire day with Him before returning home to inform his brother, “We have discovered the Messiah!” John 1:41 New International Version All of these guys quit their employment at the same time, as well as their previous lifestyles.

They didn’t bombard Jesus with questions or dither indecisively about what to do. They were “all in” to follow their Teacher and Messiah and to commit to His lifestyle and purpose, and they had no reservations about doing so.

Matthew Follows Jesus

Matthew was a Jew who worked for the Roman Empire as a tax collector. Because tax collectors were paid on commission, it was a very profitable business. Many of them overpaid, and the Jews despised them for it. Because of their intimate association with the Romans, the religious authorities regarded tax collectors as “unclean” individuals. If anybody had the most to lose by following Jesus, it was Matthew. It was impossible for him to return to tax collection once he had left. However, for someone who had spent his whole life feeling hated, hearing Jesus’ call to follow him must have been a great experience!

In any case, when Matthew was summoned, he didn’t dither.

My Sheep Hear My Voice and They Follow Me

In response to the Jews’ request for proof that Jesus was the Christ, part of Jesus’ response was, “My sheep listen to my voice; I recognize them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (New International Version). Shepherds care for their prized flock with a protective and self-sacrificial attitude for their animals’ lives. They spend their nights with them, feed them, and protect them from predators. Several distinct flocks have spent the night in the same enclosure on numerous occasions. When the shepherd was departing in the morning, he would call to his sheep and they would respond.

We should be able to recognize and follow the voice of Jesus, rejecting the voices of other “shepherds.” Only His voice can provide us with long-lasting calm, insight, knowledge, and power.

Make a note of it for later!

Come, Follow Me

It wasn’t simply the twelve disciples who were extended the offer to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. In Luke 10:1, we learn that Jesus authorized seventy-two additional followers to be sent forth to pave the way for his impending appearances. We come across another story of a man who was invited to the party, but things did not go as planned for him-

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

A wealthy young ruler approached Jesus and said, “What good deed must I do in order to get eternal life?” Matthew 19:16 New International Version In his teachings, Jesus stressed that redemption does not come via good acts. Knowing the man’s heart, Jesus instructed him to sell all of his assets and donate the proceeds to the needy. ” Then come on over here and follow me.” v21. But since he loved his money more than he loved God, the rich man was forced to leave with a sorrowful and heavy heart.

The god/idol of the wealthy young ruler was his money. He was adamant about not giving it up in order to follow Jesus. Nothing should stand in the way of our relationship with God. If he wants us to give up everything we have, we should be willing to do so.

What Does it Mean to Follow Jesus?

Saying “yes” to His offer is a personal decision that must be made. He will never compel us to do anything; it is not a command. Following Jesus requires us to devote our entire being to Him in humility. It entails making a significant adjustment in our way of life, similar to what the disciples accomplished. When we embrace Jesus as the Messiah and as our personal Savior, we are free to leave behind the things of the past. In order to follow Jesus, one must first understand and then practice his teachings with the assistance of the Holy Spirit: “We do not talk in language given to us by human knowledge, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truth in spiritual terms,” says the Apostle Paul.

(16th verse) While we will never be able to fully grasp God, His Spirit strengthens us (since we would never be able to accomplish it on our own) and provides us with His knowledge and insights.
The phrase “follow me” implied that you should be familiar with Jesus and what He expected of you.
Daily, we spend time conversing with and listening to Him.
Due to the fact that we are all individuals with distinct personalities, our connection with Jesus and the pathways we choose will never be the same.

Following Jesus

They were so dedicated to Jesus and His teachings that other people could tell without a doubt that they were His disciples at the beginning. Others could tell they were Christians by the way they spoke, acted, and lived because of the distinctiveness of their speech, actions, and lifestyle. It’s something to ponder while we’re thinking about our own personal life. Is it possible for me to love like he does? It is stated explicitly in Jesus’ own words: “By your love for one another, all mankind will know that you are my followers.” John 13:35 New International Version “Through the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us, God has poured out his love into our hearts,” says the Bible.

We have the authority to love and serve others in His name because we have His power!
It should also cost us something to be in love with someone.
It is possible to love like Jesus did, according to this post.
Is it possible for me to forgive like Jesus did?
Following Jesus entails following Him wherever He may take you.

Living out a total confidence in His judgment and purpose for my life is what it is all about. Regardless of the difficult circumstances that may emerge, my trust in Jesus assures me that He is the Lord of my life. Everything, from the simple to the difficult and everything in between.

Come, Follow Jesus

“Follow me!” says Jesus to his followers even now. When we accept his call, we make an effort to live our lives in trust and obedience day by day. We are still prone to sin, and we will never be completely sinless. Some days will be more difficult than others, and this is normal. We shall put our faith in Him to the test in difficult circumstances. He will, on the other hand, assist us in our gradual transformation into his likeness by the power of his Spirit and our desire. (2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Timothy 2:15) Our lifetime aim is that our lives will reflect the character of Jesus and that we would demonstrate to others His love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as we go about our daily activities.

It is possible that we will lose friends or family members.
However, when Jesus said, “Follow me,” He knew exactly what you were thinking.
“We are certain that you are the Holy One of God,” said the group.
If you want me to follow you, Lord, I will because there is no other way.
Blessings!

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me”?

QuestionAnswer Let’s start with what Jesus did not intend to say. Many people use the term “cross” to refer to a weight they must bear in their lives: a troubled relationship, a thankless work, or a physical ailment, for example. “That’s my cross that I have to bear,” they proclaim with self-pitying arrogance. An interpretation such as this does not correspond to what Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” When Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha in order to be crucified, no one considered the cross to be a sign of a heavy weight to bear.

Christians still revere the cross as a powerful symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love, even two thousand years after it was first used.
Being compelled to carry their own crosses to the site of crucifixion by the Romans meant that carrying a cross also meant lugging their own execution equipment while being ridiculed on the route to death.
This is referred described as “dying to one’s self.” It is a call to complete and total surrender.
Everywhere Jesus went, there were throngs of people following him.
They believed that Christ would usher in the restoration of the kingdom.
Even Christ’s own inner group of followers believed that the kingdom of God was on its way quickly (Luke 19:11).
Many of His stunned disciples turned their backs on Him.

When life is going well, following Jesus is simple; but, it is amid hardships that our actual dedication to Him is shown.

Discipleship necessitates sacrifice, and Jesus was never shy about disclosing the price of discipleship.

When Jesus pressed them more, they admitted that they had just a half-hearted devotion at best.

None of them was prepared to pick up his cross and lay his own interests at the foot of it.

Quite a departure from the traditional Gospel presentation!

When Jesus stated, “Take up your cross and follow Me,” He was referring to a summons to such action.

Are you prepared to follow Jesus even if it means being estranged from your family?

Are you prepared to follow Jesus even if it means that you may lose your career as a result?

In certain parts of the world, these ramifications are already a reality.

In the event that you come to a crossroads in your life and are forced to choose between Jesus and the luxuries of this world, which will you pick?

Only if you voluntarily take up your cross will you be able to call yourself His disciple (Luke 14:27).

When Jesus called for death of self (“Take up your cross and follow Me”), He followed it up with the gift of life in Christ: “For whomever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever wishes to lose his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25-26).

Questions concerning the Christian Life (return to top of page) Is it possible to understand what Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me?”

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Jesus Said, “Follow Me”

The familiarity of having rules to follow is appealing to the majority of people. Rules provide us with a clear grasp of what is required of us. Respecting the rules makes us feel comfortable, confident in our activities, and optimistic in the likelihood of a favorable outcome. However, a disproportionate emphasis on norms might lead to arrogance and judgment. Jesus did not provide us with a set of rules. Instead, He instructed them to “Follow me.” It is where we lay our emphasis that distinguishes rule-keeping from Jesus-following as a significant distinction.

To take part in lesson one of this study, we ask you to look aside from the rules and decide to become a disciple of Christ in place of them.

Watch the Trailer forFollow

To every single type of person imaginable — rich people, poor people, people who were spiritual, and people who weren’t spiritual — Jesus extended an invitation to follow. He didn’t attach a slew of restrictions to His gift, which was refreshing. He just encouraged them to come along for the ride. One narrative of Jesus calling someone to follow Him may be found in Matthew’s gospel, which was written in the first century A.D. Matthew was a follower of Jesus’ who lived in the first century. A tale about himself is told in this section of the gospel according to Jesus.

The following is what Matthew wrote: As Jesus continued on his journey, He came across a guy called Matthew who was working at the tax collector’s booth.
—Matthew 9:9 (New International Version) Isn’t it straightforward?
They were Jewish tax collectors who collected taxes from other Jews on behalf of the Roman government.
They were considered outcasts.
They were unable to function as productive members of society.
In a mocking tone, Jesus could have approached Matthew and said, “I bet your mother is very proud of you!” Jesus was regarded as a rabbi by his followers.
“Follow Me,” Jesus said to Matthew the tax collector after looking him in the eyes.
It’s possible that they were perplexed.
And it was something Matthew would never forget.

What was the significance of Jesus’ call to Matthew? When all eyes were on the Son of God, He chose to reach out to a tax collector rather than staying on the sidelines. Was He endorsing Matthew’s life in some way? Was He implying that sin didn’t matter, even if it was inadvertently?

Discussion Starter – Who Do You Follow

Disseminate information about one of your favorite supervisors, coaches, or teachers. What made it so simple for you to follow that individual?

Video Overview –Follow

Despite the fact that they were not like Him, Jesus was exceptionally comfortable with those who were not like Him. According to what we learn in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, individuals who were nothing like Jesus were also very comfortable with him. Have you ever encountered someone who is so confident in his own skin that he makes everyone around him feel confident as well? Jesus was just like that. a hundred times over. That’s significant because Jesus was God manifested in a human body.

Taking into consideration all of the sin in the world, He would have been perfectly right in making everyone feel uncomfortable.
The majority of us avoid folks like that because we are concerned about what other people — “better” people — would think of us if they happen to encounter us in the streets.
It’s true that the Pharisees — the religious authorities of Jesus’ day — were perplexed as to why Jesus was doing what he was doing.
After all, Jesus was a person just like them.
He was a law enforcer, and they were also law enforcers.
As a result, why would Jesus want to associate with individuals who were diametrically opposed to Him – people who were alienated from God — rather than with people who shared his religious beliefs and practices?
Matt.

He was aware of what Jesus had stated.

It’s possible that Matthew was insulted.

When it comes to sin, the fact is that we’re all weary of it.

If you’re a parent, it’s likely that you create rules for your children that you don’t even follow yourself.

No one is without flaws.

All of that was transformed because of Jesus.

He didn’t put on a brave front and pretend everything was OK.

But He was so at ease in His own skin that he didn’t give a damn about what the Pharisees or anybody else thought of the company he chose to surround himself with.

Watch theFollowVideo

Did you grow up in a church that placed a strong emphasis on doing what Jesus teaches rather than simply following Him? In the alternative, if you didn’t grow up going to church, did you grow up thinking that’s what Christianity was all about? How has the “Jesus says” frame of mind influenced your spiritual development thus far
Jesus was exceptionally at ease with individuals who were diametrically opposed to Him in every way. What might be different in your neighborhood, your country, and the globe if the church treated people the way Jesus did? Tax collectors were regarded as the lowest of the low in Jesus’ time and place of origin. What types of people occupy that role in our culture? Who are these individuals? Is it difficult for you to think that Jesus would issue an invitation to such individuals to become His disciples? What are the reasons behind this or that? Can you imagine how soothing it is to know that Jesus wants everyone to follow Him no matter what their beliefs or how they act are? What is the difficulty level
What are some of the things that make it harder for you to follow Jesus
What is one thing you can do this week to begin following Jesus or to follow Him more closely
And what is one thing you can do next week to make it easier for you to follow Jesus.

Moving Forward

Jesus’ offer to follow him is specifically addressed to you. Being a sinner does not disqualify you; in fact, it is a must. Being an atheist does not prohibit you from participating. The offer to follow is just an invitation to enter into a relationship with the other person. It is not an encouragement to submit to authority. It is an invitation to have a personal relationship with your heavenly Father.

Changing Your Mind

His disciples were with Him when He summoned the multitude to Him and said: “Whoever wishes to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” — * * * Mark 8:3* * *

Your Turn

I’m curious in your answer to Jesus’ invitation to “Follow Me.” What is one thing you can do this week to begin following Jesus, or to follow Him more closely, that you can share with others? We invite you to post your responses to the discussion topics on our blog! We would want to hear your thoughts on following Jesus!

What does it mean to take up your cross, and follow Me?

I’m curious in your response to Jesus’ invitation to “Follow Me” thus far. Was there anything you did this week to get started following Jesus or to get a better understanding of His teachings? Contribute to our blog by posting your responses to the discussion questions. Please share your thoughts about following Jesus with us.

Bible Answer:

“Take up your cross, and follow Me!” says the Lord. These are the statements of Jesus as recorded in Mark 8:34. Peter had just expressed his displeasure with the notion that Jesus would be crucified in the preceding lines (vv. 31-33). According to tradition, Peter rebuked Christ (v. 32). Jesus, on the other hand, reprimanded Peter for his disapproval. Afterwards, Jesus explains what needs take place in order for a man or woman to follow Him. And He called the crowds to Him, along with His disciples, and told them, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” Mark 8:34 (New American Standard Bible) It is the Greek phrases “to arrive to a point of being with” Jesus that are meant by the phrase “come after.” According to Jesus, anybody who wishes to follow Him must first pick up his or her cross.

Check out what this implies in terms of actual use.

Let Him Deny Himself.

“Deny” ourselves, says Christ, is the first step in the process. The Greek word for “deny” is aparneomai, which means “to refuse.” It is a harsh word, and it means that a person must refuse to be consumed by thoughts of themselves. This is a really powerful statement to make. It represents a complete and total denial of one’s own aspirations and wishes.

Take Up His Cross.

Then Jesus instructed the individual to pick up their cross. Everybody in Christ’s day understood what the term “cross” meant in its original context. On one occasion, according to Flavius Josephus, the Roman soldiers physically crucified two thousand individuals on crosses, according to his account. Carrying your cross implied that you were dragging it along with you until you arrived to the location where the soldiers would crucify you, which was the final destination.

In this case, Jesus’ message is that you must be so dedicated to denying yourself that you are prepared to die in order to follow him.

And Follow Me!

Then Jesus explained what must take place once a believer, or Christian, accepts their cross and follows it. If a Christian is genuinely willing to die for Christ, he or she will follow Christ in his or her actions. In Luke 5:1-11, we get an excellent picture of what it means to follow Christ. On two earlier occasions, the disciples had been invited to follow Jesus, and this was the third time they had agreed. The disciples “abandoned everything and followed Him” because what transpired on this occasion was so remarkable.

It is important to note that they left everything and followed Him in Luke 5:11.
Please refer to “The Third Call of the Disciples” for a comprehensive description of this extremely significant event.
In other words, we are not permitted to call on Jesus as our Savior and Lord while also satisfying our own needs and aspirations.
True followers of Christ have the characteristics described above.

Conclusion:

Then Jesus declared that the spiritual losers are the winners. In other words, whomever desires to save his or her life will lose it; but, whoever loses his or her life for My or the gospel’s sake will save it. Why should a guy win the whole world while forfeiting his soul, you might wonder. Are you a spiritual failure who happens to be a winner in this life? Luke 5:11 (NASB)

References:

The Antiquities of the Jews (Antiquities of the Jews, 17.295-296).

What Is That to You? You Follow Me!

After his ascension to the right hand of the Father, Jesus questioned Peter three times whether he loved him. “Yes,” he responded three times. Then Jesus revealed to Peter how he would die, which appears to have been through crucifixion. Peter was a little concerned about how things would turn out with John. As a result, he inquired of Jesus, “What about this man?” In response to the inquiry, Jesus stated, “What does that mean to you?” “I want you to follow me!” Here’s the complete transcript of the conversation.

(He said that he was doing this to demonstrate what sort of death he was willing to die in order to praise God.) He then told him to “Follow me” once he had finished speaking.
When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus replied, “What about this man?” “What does it matter to you if it is my wish that he remain until I come?” Jesus inquired of the man.
They are freeing themselves from the gloomy shackles of fatal contrasting.
I don’t drink nearly as much as I did twenty-five years ago.
How to prosper in ministry has been explained to me in book after book, at conference after conference, and on DVD after DVD.
Worship may be more effective.
Evangelism may be more effective.

The state of youth ministry may be improved.

And here’s what actually works.

Please visit this page.

This is how you should go about it.

As a result, Jesus’ direct response to me (and to you) was refreshing: “What is it to you?

You will die—and it will be painful.

What about John, do you know?

If my ministry comes to an end in this manner, would his ministry come to an end in the same manner?

The way we sinners are wired is just like this: Compare.

Compare.

If we can simply locate someone who is less effective than we are, we will experience some sort of high.

Ouch. “To love is to cease comparing,” wrote my Resident Assistant in Elliot Hall during my senior year at Wheaton, and it has stayed with me to this day. What exactly does that mean to you, Piper? Please follow me.

What do you think it is about David Wells that gives him such a thorough understanding of the widespread consequences of postmodernism? Do you see why Voddie Baucham delivers the gospel so strongly without the need of notes, if you do follow me? Following up, what do you make of Tim Keller’s ability to perceive the gospel’s ties to his professional life so clearly? You’re following me
What is it about Mark Driscoll that makes you think he has the language and stupidity of popculture at his fingertips? You understand what I’m saying
What does it mean to you that Don Carson reads five hundred books a year and combinespastoral intuition with the depth and comprehensiveness of a scholar? You’re following me

It brought me immense delight when I heard that word. Jesus will not judge me due to my position of superiority or inferiority in relation to anybody else. There will be no preacher. There is no church. There is no ministry. These aren’t the norm in the industry. Jesus has a task that he must do (and a different one for you). It is not something that he has delegated to anybody else. It is possible to do it with elegance. Will I put my faith in him for that grace and carry out the task he has given me?

Oh, the freedom that comes when Jesus is stern with us!

“I want you to follow me!” Learning to walk with you in freedom is an ongoing process.