The concept of “following Jesus” is mentioned at least 89 X’s in the New Testament. As we will discover, Jesus taught that there is a difference between simply “believing” in and following Him.
There are a couple of scriptures I want to look at that best define this concept. The first if the story of the “Rich Young Ruler in Mark 10:17-27
17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.23 And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”
The term follow is “ἀκολουθέω” (akoloutheó)in the Greek. It is comprised of the word “koloutheó” which means road and the prefix “a” which means unity or oneness. To follow Jesus means to be at one with Him as you walk down the road of life. Wealth or religious pride will not one to be part of the Kingdom in either this life or the next.
The second verse is Matthew 16:24-26
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
This portion comes on the heels of Peter’s confession of Christ’s identity and Jesus revealing that the church will be built of the foundation of the “revelation” of who He is. The practical application of this can be seen in the first three chapters of the letters to the seven churches, the Book of Revelation. A proper and magnificent revelation of the conquering Christ is seen by the Apostle John as the foundation to bring proper alignment to the seven churches. We are called to follow the glorified Christ, not simply believe in Him historically or intellectually. James the half- brother of the Lord accurately states this in James 2:19.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
If you simply agree in who He is without truly following Him, your no better than the demons. Even they fear Him. Many 21st Century so-called believers don’t even do that.
The command to "follow me" is central to the New Testament's message of discipleship and is far more than a physical act. Following Jesus encompasses:
Transformation: It implies a transformation of identity, leaving behind a previous way of life to align with his teachings.
Commitment: It is a call to a new way of life that reshapes one's priorities and identity.
Trust and obedience: As demonstrated by the immediate actions of his first disciples, it requires trusting in Jesus's authority and obeying his call.
To follow Jesus is
· To be his disciple—a lifelong learner, student, and apprentice who trusts, obeys, and imitates him. The call to follow is an invitation to a personal relationship with Christ that transforms every aspect of a person's life.
· This process can be broken down into three key elements, with each one building upon the last.
· Believe like Jesus
· This is the initial step of faith that makes a person a Christian. The journey begins when an individual trusts that Jesus is the Son of God who lived a sinless life, died on the cross to atone for humanity's sins, and was resurrected. It is an acceptance of God's grace and forgiveness, rather than an attempt to earn salvation through good works.
· Live like Jesus
· Once an individual believes, following Jesus means actively learning and putting his teachings into practice. This is not about being perfect, but about adopting a new, Christ-like way of living through a renewed mind. Key aspects of living like Jesus include:
· Loving God and neighbor: Jesus summarized all of God's commands into two principles: loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself.
· Serving others: Jesus exemplified humility by serving others, including washing his disciples' feet, and he called his followers to do the same. This can be a daily commitment to serving family, friends, or one's local community.
· Praying consistently: Jesus modeled a deep prayer life, often withdrawing to be in communion with God. Followers are encouraged to do the same by praying constantly and relying on God for wisdom and strength.
· Become like Jesus
· As believers practice his teachings, the Holy Spirit works within them to transform their character so they reflect Jesus's nature. This is a process of:
· Denying oneself: As Jesus instructed, following him requires denying personal desires and ambitions and willingly embracing the challenges that come with living a Christ-centered life.
· Crucifying the flesh: This involves putting to death the sinful nature and worldly desires that hinder a closer walk with God. As Jesus's earliest followers learned, it often includes a willingness to suffer for his sake.
· Walking in the Spirit: Following Jesus means being led by the Holy Spirit, which produces the "fruit of the Spirit" in a believer's life, such as love, joy, peace, and patience.
So, there you have it. Do you call yourself a Christian? How closely are you following Him. I no longer identify myself as a Christian, a Protestant, an Evangelical or even Charismatic has so much baggage. I identify myself as a “follower” of Jesus. Taking it a step further. I would even rather be called a “bondslave” to the One I follow. I have known Him for over 68 years. I love Him and desire to follow Him more closely every day. How about you?