Theme of the Week: Following Jesus
Bible Verse: “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:13-14, Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 16:24-26
One of the greatest ironies of our time is how we use the word “follower.” Today, this is mainly understood as a noncommittal, impersonal and distant relationship.
Sometimes I wonder if many people who call themselves Christians have this kind of understanding of the words from Jesus: “Follow Me.”
In the book Maximum Faith: Live Like Jesus, for example, George Barna says, “my research shows that most Americans who confess their sins to God and ask Christ to be their Savior—live almost indistinguishable from the unrepentant sinners, and their lives bear little, if any fruit, for the kingdom of God.”
Many today consider themselves Christians, but the question is: are they disciples, followers, and apprentices of Christ in the same way we see in the gospels?
In the gospel of Mark, we read that Jesus “called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him…” (Mark 3:13-14).
The essence of the disciple’s calling is Christ and a vital, close, not distant relationship with him. Following Jesus is an intimate kind of relationship. Before sharing his mission, Jesus shared his life with his disciples, which means that the call for fellowship precedes the call for action. The most important thing about Christ’s calling is Christ himself.
You have heard me say this many times: The end of the Christian life is not a place, but a person – Jesus Christ.
This week, we will explore more in detail what it means to follow Jesus. We will talk about:
- His reliance on the Holy Spirit
- The teachings of Jesus
- The love of Jesus
- The mission of Jesus
Join us this week and learn what it means to follow Jesus. Share this devotional with your friends and invite them to subscribe to our daily devotional
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