Tag: following Jesus

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Bible Original

Tagging along? Or following?

Cross

Now great crowds were traveling with him. So he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-27)

Jesus’ words are very hard here, but I think he wanted to know, “Are you truly following me? Or are you just tagging along? Are you truly interested in joining my kingdom or not?”

That was one of the points of his parable earlier. People initially showed interest in a man’s banquet (symbolizing God’s Kingdom), but ultimately, they valued other things more. (16-20)

What’s the main difference between a disciple and one who simply tags along? Disciples love Jesus so much that they value him and his kingdom over everything else: their families, their possessions, even their very lives.

Jesus, of course, isn’t literally asking us to hate our families or to sell everything we have. But he is asking us, “What am I worth to you? Do I have top priority in your life?”

Jesus loved us so much that he gave up everything for us. Will we value him as much? Do we believe that if we do, that he is good, and we will ultimately find life, not lose it?

Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.

–Isaac Watts, Chris Tomlin

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Luke Devotionals

Following Jesus

Path of the cross

If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

I was thinking on Jesus’ words today. If I were to paraphrase them, I’d put them this way:

If you truly want to be my disciple (and all Christians are Jesus’ disciples):

  1. Stop living for self. Get rid of the “my life” attitude.
  2. Rather, live in daily surrender to the Father, offering your whole life to him, obeying him in everything. (Philippians 2:8)
  3. Walk with me moment to moment, day to day. Learn from me. And just as importantly, join in what I’m doing: inviting people to come under my Father’s good reign.

One word that really struck me in all this was “daily.” The Christian life isn’t a once a week thing. It’s daily.

And not only did Jesus call us to live as his disciple, so does the Father.

This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him! (Luke 9:35)

And so my prayer:

Lord Jesus, my good King, help me live as your disciple, daily following you.

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Deuteronomy Devotionals

Listen to him!

Following Jesus

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers.

You must listen to him. (Deuteronomy 18:15)

According to Peter, Moses was pointing to Jesus. (Acts 3:19-26)

Perhaps Peter was also remembering the Father’s own words to him, James, and John:

This is my beloved Son; listen to him! (Mark 9:7)

Honestly speaking, learning to listen to Jesus better is something I’m still working on.

But as Jesus’ disciples, we are not to simply go with the flow of the world.

That’s something Moses specifically warned the Israelites against. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

Rather, we are to listen to and follow Jesus.

As you live your life each day, as you make your decisions, who are you listening to?

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Matthew Devotionals

Get to? Have to?

God's gifts

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate”…

His disciples said to him, “If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it’s better not to marry.” (Matthew 19:4-6, 10)

It’s amazing how we Christians think a lot of times. God wants to give us something good. And all we focus on is the “have tos.”

God gives marriage to us as a gift, as a blessing. And all the disciples could think was, “Wait. I have to stay married to my wife all my life?”

Later, Jesus gave a young man the opportunity to follow him. To be his disciple. To find true life.

And all the man could think was, “Wait, I have to give all my possessions to the poor?” (Matthew 19:21-22)

Why do we so quickly think that way?

God says to us, “Don’t you understand how much joy I want to give you? Don’t you understand the good gift I’m giving you?”

Father, you are a good God. Forgive my stupid, hardened heart. Help me to throw away the “have to” mentality and joyfully embrace the good gifts you want to give me.

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Matthew Devotionals

“Following” Jesus, or truly following Jesus?

Following Jesus

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

It’s not clear in the English, but the first “follow” and the second “follow” are two different words in the Greek. Both are often used in reference to discipleship.

The first “follow” literally has the idea of walking behind someone, going where they go.

The second “follow” has that idea, but includes the idea of responding to his voice and of learning from him as his disciple. (Matthew 4:20; John 10:4, 27)

Lots of people “followed” Jesus in that first sense. Some wanted healing. Some were interested in this new teaching he brought.

But few truly followed him in the second sense.

Even his disciples struggled with it at times. Jesus told them what was “necessary” for God’s plan to be accomplished.

At that point, Peter stopped following Jesus and instead tried to lead him in a different direction. In doing so, however, he actually became a hindrance to Jesus.

It made me think.

“Am I truly following Jesus? Or are there times when I’m trying to pull him in the direction I want to go?”

“Am I following Jesus’ agenda? Or am I trying to get him to follow mine?”

How about you? Are you “following” Jesus, going to church, maybe even reading your Bible and praying from time to time, but ultimately trying to get him to follow you and your plans?

Or are you truly following him, learning from him, and responding to his voice and leading, moment to moment, day to day?

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Matthew Devotionals

The joy of following Jesus 

Jesus and his disciples

“Follow me,” [Jesus] told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, preparing their nets, and he called them.

Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (Matthew 4:19-22)

I wonder. How did Peter, Andrew, James, and John feel when Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people?”

Inadequate? Unqualified? Scared?

Perhaps. But somehow, I think they were mostly filled with overwhelming awe and joy.

“Me? Jesus would choose me?”

And so filled with awe and joy, they immediately dropped their nets, left their family business, and followed Jesus.

They weren’t thinking, “Follow Jesus? I’d have to give up so much!”

They were thinking, “I get to follow Jesus! I get to join in his work! This is awesome!”

Often times, though, when we think about following Jesus, about joining in with his work, we feel uneasy. “I’m inadequate. I’m unqualified.”

Or we feel burdened by the “have tos.”

I know I sometimes feel that way.

But Jesus deeply loves us. And knowing everything about us with all our weaknesses and failings, he still looks at us and says, “Follow me. Come. Join me in my work.”

That’s the joy of following Jesus. It’s an awesome privilege that he gives us.

Following Jesus and joining in his work isn’t about the burden of the “have tos.”

It’s the overwhelming joy of the “get tos.”

How about you? Do you know that joy?

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Luke Devotionals

Though we are weak and sinful

Jesus and Peter

“Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!”…”Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” (Luke 5:8, 10)

There are many similarities between this story and John 21, namely, the miraculous catch of fish.

But it’s the feeling of Simon and Jesus’ response in both stories that really struck me.

Simon sees his own sinfulness and says, “Jesus, I’m not worthy to be with you.”

And Jesus tells him, “Hey, don’t be afraid. I see your sinfulness, but I still want to be with you and use you for my work.”

Fast forward to after the resurrection. More than ever, Simon sees his own weakness and sinfulness. After all, he had denied Jesus three times, just hours after he had promised to be faithful to Jesus.

And though he doesn’t say, “Go away from me, I’m a sinful man,” there are probably even stronger feelings of unworthiness in Peter. “Can Jesus still use me? Does he even want to use me?”

And yet Jesus reassures him.

“Do you love me? Yes? Good. Feed my lambs.”

“Do you love me? Yes? Good. Take care of my sheep.”

“Do you love me? Yes? Good. Feed my sheep.”

Then he told Peter, “Follow me.”

That’s awesome to me. Jesus sees my weaknesses. He sees my sin.

But while I would cry out, “Depart from me, I’m a sinful man. I’m unworthy of you,” he says, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve accepted you despite your weaknesses, despite your failures. Now follow me. And join me in touching others with the grace and love I’ve given you.”

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Matthew Devotionals

Who we are following

The story of how John the Baptist’s life ended is really heartbreaking when you think about it.

But today, I thought about his disciples’ response. They came to take his body and bury it. And then they told Jesus.

But the thought came to me today, “What did they do after that?”

Did they follow Jesus?

Or did they just go home?

We don’t know.

I would hope they followed Jesus. After all, Jesus was the one John had pointed to.

It made me think, though. Who are we following?

Many people become Christians because of someone influential in their lives. It might be a a pastor. It might be a friend. It might be a family member.

But what happens when they leave us?

Some may literally pass away.

Others may move away.

Sadly, some may even fall into sin and walk away from God.

And the question is, what then?

Do we just “go home?”

Or do we turn our eyes to Jesus and follow him?

Because as Jesus proved through the miracle of the feeding of the 5000, he is the bread of life (John 6). He is the one imparts true life to us, filling our spiritual hunger and thirst.

And he is the one who will always be there for us, no matter what storms may hit.

People will leave us. People let us down.

Jesus will not.

So I ask again:

“Who are you following?”

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Matthew Devotionals

Following Jesus

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Part of it is recognizing Jesus’ authority.

Jesus certainly has it.

He commanded the wind and waves, and they obeyed.

He commanded the demons, and they obeyed.

Yes, Jesus has authority. But the question is, do we recognize his authority in our lives?

The centurion certainly did.

As for the two men who wanted to follow Jesus, we don’t know if they did or not.

And as for the crowds mentioned in the above verse, some did come to recognize Jesus’ authority, and others outright rejected it.

But it’s possible to recognize Jesus’ authority and still not follow him.

The demons recognized his authority and hated him for it.

The people of the Gadarenes were frightened of him and asked him to leave.

What about us?

Jesus is asking us, “Do you recognize my authority in your life? And do you love and trust me enough to obey?”

Do you want to follow Jesus?

Do you love him and truly want to know him?

Then remember his words:

The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him. (John 14:21)

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John Devotionals

You follow me

www.LumoProject.com

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22, ESV)

I suppose it’s natural for us to compare ourselves with others. I know I do.

But ultimately, comparing ourselves to others distracts us from what’s most important: following Jesus.

I was thinking about Peter and how when he saw Jesus, he leapt out of the boat and swam to him.

My first thought was, “I wish I had his passion.”

My second thought was, “That’s not me. There’s no way I’m every jumping out of that boat to swim to Jesus.”

It’s not that I don’t love Jesus. It’s just not my personality. (Would you have jumped out of that boat?)

But I felt like God was saying to me, “If it was my will to make Peter that way, what is that to you? I made you the way you are. You follow me.”

God doesn’t want me to be Peter. He doesn’t want me to be my pastor. He doesn’t want to be any of the other Christians I know. He wants me to be what he’s made me.

God feels the same way about you.

And if you and I just keep our eyes on him, following him, and being faithful with what he’s entrusted us, that’s enough for him.

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Luke Devotionals

What hinders us from following Jesus

Luke

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

What is it that hinders us from following Jesus?

For many Pharisees, it was pride. Specifically, pride in their own righteousness and complete blindness to their own sin. Such people don’t see their need for God’s mercy nor for a Savior. (Luke 18:9-14)

For the ruler, it was his possessions. He prioritized his wealth and the comfort and security it gave him over following Jesus. (Luke 18:18-25)

For the disciples, it was their dreams for the future. Dreams that Jesus would conquer the Roman Empire and giving them positions of power.

They had given up everything else to follow Jesus. But they couldn’t seem to let go of those dreams. And as a result, whenever Jesus talked about how he had to die, they could never understand.

In Peter’s case, it even led him to even argue with Jesus. (Mark 8:32)

God, be merciful to me a sinner.

Forgive me for the times I’ve been proud, making light of my own sin, while looking down on others for theirs. Help me to see my sin and my utter need for your grace.

Forgive me for idolatry. For prioritizing other things over following you.

Forgive me for closing my eyes and ears to what you’re telling me because I’m clinging so tightly to my own hopes and dreams.

You are a good God. And whatever I may lose in following you, I know I’ll find so much more. (Luke 18:29-30)

Father, to change is so hard for me, if not impossible. But what is impossible with man is possible with you. You already achieved the impossible: saving me from my sin.

Now complete what you have started in me. (Philippians 1:6)

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Luke Devotionals

Afraid to ask

Luke

Then a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35)

[Jesus] told his disciples, “Let these words sink in: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”

But they did not understand this statement; it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. (43-45)

Those last words struck me, “They could not grasp [Jesus’ words], and they were afraid to ask him about it.”

Why were they afraid to ask? They weren’t always that way. Just in chapter 8, they were asking, “What do you mean?” (8:9)

I’m not sure why they were afraid. But I’m guessing it was because they didn’t want to know the answer.

They were afraid the answer would blow up all their hopes and dreams. That they would have to totally change their way of thinking.

I think deep down, they already knew the answer. Jesus couldn’t haven’t been any clearer. But they didn’t want to accept it.

That’s closing your eyes and ears to God’s word.

How often is Jesus telling us, “Let these words sink in”?

Maybe we see something in the Bible concerning our sin. Or as we’re praying, we sense God saying, “You need to change directions in your life.”

But we are afraid to ask Jesus, “What are you trying to tell me?” because we’re afraid of the answer.  

We make the excuse, “Well, I didn’t understand what he was saying.”

But the truth is, we simply didn’t want to know.

I know I’ve done that. Especially concerning coming to Japan.

But the Father says, “This is my Son. Listen to him.”

Following Jesus isn’t easy. It costs us something. Following Jesus often requires struggling or pain (23-24).

Many times, it requires sacrifice (57-62).

But the thing I’ve learned, the thing I’m still learning, is that following Jesus is the only way to truly find life.

Following Jesus cost me something. But looking back, I have no regrets because what I’ve lost is no comparison to what I’ve gained.

I left behind family, friends, and a great church in Hawaii. But I found a new family, new friends, and a great church in Japan. But more than that, I found God’s purpose for me.

Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.” (23-24)

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John John 21

Keeping our eyes on Jesus

John

It must be disconcerting to hear about how you’re going to die. And so after Jesus told Peter exactly how he was going to die, there probably was an awkward silence.

Peter then suddenly realized that John was walking not far behind them, and so he said, “What about him Lord? Is he going to die for you too?”

But Jesus replied,

If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me. (John 21:22)

So often, as we are serving the Lord, we compare ourselves to others.

Sometimes we are jealous of the gifts and talents they have. Other times, we look down on others because our gifts and talents are “better” than theirs.

Sometimes as with Peter, God calls us to do something, and we ask, “Why me? Why don’t you send that guy or that woman instead?”

But the answer Jesus gave Peter is the same that he gives to us. “Don’t worry about them. I’ll take care of them. You follow me. Don’t focus your eyes on others and compare yourself to them. Keep your eyes on me and you do the things I tell you.”

Honestly, that can be hard to do. Our eyes are so quick to drift to others. Our hearts are so quick to compare ourselves to others. That’s something that I struggle with even now.

But if we are to bear fruit as God desires, then we need to get our eyes off of others serving God and put them solely on Jesus.

How about you? Where are your eyes? On yourself? On others? Or on Jesus?

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John John 12

In order to serve

John

With all the buzz surrounding Jesus, both with his spectacular entry into Jerusalem, and his just as spectacular cleansing of the temple, it’s little wonder that first time visitors would wish to see him.

In this case, it was some Greek proselytes who became interested in who this Jesus was. Perhaps it was because Phillip had a Greek name that these men approached him first.

And together with Andrew (someone who always seemed to be introducing others to Jesus), Phillip brought these men to Jesus.

Jesus responded by saying,

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:23-24)

In saying this, Jesus was talking about his death and resurrection. As long as he was alive, his ministry would be limited to what he could do in Israel.

But after his death, through the Holy Spirit, his work would spread all over the world, touching not only the Greeks, but every tribe and nation.

But Jesus then said to his disciples,

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. (John 12:25-26)

Here Jesus says both the blindingly obvious, and the paradoxical truth.

The blindingly obvious? That whoever serves Jesus must follow him, and that wherever he is, his servant must be.

It’s very hard to serve a person when you’re never around him. And if you really want to serve Jesus, you need to be in a place where you can see and hear what he wants.

But in order to be where Jesus is, you sometimes need to leave things behind, including things and people you love.

And that’s why he says something seemingly paradoxical: Whoever loves his life will lose it, but anyone who hates his life will keep it for eternal life.

This doesn’t mean that we should hate everything and every moment of our lives. But the things and people we love in this world need to take second place to Jesus.

If, for example, Jesus leads you to leave your country in order to serve him in another, then you need to follow him there.

Or if Jesus says, “Leave your high-paying job so you can serve me better,” then you need to be willing to do so for the sake of his kingdom.

Sometimes following Jesus means change. Sometimes it means sacrifice.

But we can’t serve Jesus if we’re not where he is. And while the change or sacrifice might seem painful at the time, in the end, we’ll find it was all worth it.

I found that out coming to Japan. I never dreamed that I’d ever leave Hawaii.

But when I came to Japan, I found out that I was happier here than I ever was in Hawaii. I found life by leaving what I loved in Hawaii in order to follow Jesus.

And so will you.

How about you? Are you where Jesus is?