What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?

January 28, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20

What things of this world do you look to for comfort and security? Since our move from Houston six months ago, I realize how much comfort and security I enjoyed in our home. For this new season in Jacksonville, our home is quite different. Through our transition, we are living in a very small apartment. Most of our belongings are in storage, and I don’t feel settled in this temporary living situation. The call to follow Jesus took me away from my all the things I once clung to for comfort and security. Yet, I would not have it any other way.

Jesus is not nearly as concerned with our comfort and security as we are. We see this in how he calls his first disciples. Simon (later called Peter) and his brother Andrew were out fishing one day. Fishing was their occupation, the family business, and thus their source of income. While at the shore one day, Jesus walked by the boat. Instead of the typical greeting of “Hi. How are you?,” Jesus gets straight to the point, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Notice Jesus offers them no formal contract, no salary, and no guarantees of what life will look like if they decide to follow him – just the command to leave the comfort and security of their lives as fishermen and the invitation to a new kind of fishing.

Amazingly, these men immediately responded to Jesus, leaving all that they knew, to follow him. You know the rest of the story. Life was never the same! For three years, these men walked, talked, and lived with God incarnate. What an adventure! Remember, it wasn’t always easy to be Jesus’ disciple, but I can’t imagine they would have ever chosen to go back to life before Christ.

Today, Jesus calls you. He calls you to surrender your life of comfort and security and to follow him. You may or may not have to leave your career, your family, your home, and all the security of this world. The call is to follow Jesus in the unique plan he has for your life, to surrender the known for the unknown, and to trust that he will faithfully show you the way.

Will you, like Simon and Andrew, immediately leave your nets and follow him?

Reflection:

What does it mean for you personally to follow Jesus today? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

The Crucified Life small group Christian study is designed to reflect upon the Seven Last Words of Christ from the cross and what they mean for us today. Walk the road of Calvary with Jesus in order to grow closer to Him. The Crucified Life small group study examines human suffering as it is mirrored in Christ’s suffering on the cross and what His seven last words say to a hurting world. Find out incredible insights into these words as Jesus teaches us, even in death, how we can use our suffering and triumph over it for His glory. Begin your Crucified Life today