FOLLOW ME

JOHN 21:18, 19

This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me”

(John 21:19).

Once Peter had been forgiven of denying his Lord, Jesus repeats the same command He had given at the outset of His earthly ministry: “Follow Me.” Peter’s apostleship was fully intact, and this meant that he would have to put away the things of his youth and follow the ways of Christ, even in death. Peter’s life was about to take a drastic turn. It would change forever because now he would “follow” Christ.

What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ? Let us look at a few verses to answer this question. First, it means taking up your cross daily (Matt. 10:38, Luke 9:23). As a Christian, you will have to face the struggles as well as the joys of being “in Christ.” Taking up your cross means doing God’s will and not your own. It means putting to death the desires of your flesh and living for Christ.

Second, following Jesus means self-denial; it means giving up everything for His sake (Matt. 16:24, 19:21, 27). The rich young ruler thought he had earned himself a place in heaven, but he was not willing to give up his riches. God was not first in his life, but his wealth and his material possessions were first. Jesus said that to be His followers, we must be willing to give up everything.

Third, following Jesus means listening to His voice (John 10:27). As His disciples, we do not listen to the advice of the world, we do not listen to the counsel of the ungodly. We listen to Christ—to the truth that He has revealed in His Word. We read His Word, and we know it to be true. We do not doubt and question, proudly setting ourselves up as skeptics. Instead, we humbly and faithfully follow His teaching, even when the world mocks and ridicules us because of our faith.

Fourth, following Him means service (John 12:26). That means serving Him not only in word, but in deed. It means doing for others, caring for the sick, the widows, the poor, the elderly.

And last, to follow Jesus means to suffer (1 Peter 2:21). If you are a Christian, you are going to suffer persecution; you are going to suffer hardship. But through the refining fire of suffering, you will emerge even as our Lord did. You will overcome the struggles of this life and live to see the glory of God.

CORAM DEO

Hosea 5–8

Revelation 1

Read the verses scattered throughout today’s study. Reflect on your own life. Are you following after Christ or after the pleasures of this world? What have you given up to follow Christ? If nothing, turn to Him today. Ask Jesus to make you His disciple and to give you the grace to follow Him.

For further study: Matt. 19:16–22 • Rom. 8:18–25 • 1 Peter 2:18–25

thursday

december