“…If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24 (KJV)
The call to follow Jesus is a life-long, active commitment. It requires surrendering personal control and denying self (Matthew 16:24).
Jesus instructed His disciples to follow Him, i.e., they had to deny their own desires, including their egos, pride, sinful patterns, and self‑centered agendas, and take up their cross, i.e., the path of true discipleship: a daily willingness to die to self‑rule and walk in His life‑giving way.
The call of discipleship is actually a continuous journey towards becoming Christ-like. His will becomes our will. It is a call to have a personal, passionate relationship with Jesus that brings transformation as we sit at His feet and learn from Him.
Following Jesus brings a change of heart and a newness of mind to the disciple. When we follow Him, we cultivate love for God and allow that love to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions. Genuine discipleship, therefore, requires surrendering our ultimate source of security to prioritise Jesus above all else.
Discipleship is rooted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). This mandate shows the importance of the double role of being both a learner and a teacher. Note that both words share the same Latin root: discipulus (pupil) and disciplina (instruction). A disciple is primarily a student/learner who commits to understanding and following their master’s teachings. It is also interesting to note that the root word of discipline is “disciple”.
Thus, being disciplined entails embracing obedience even when it costs your reputation, comfort, control, or personal preference – Christ comes first and always. It is something you accept because you choose Him.
Remember, Jesus doesn’t say “Follow My teachings” or “Follow My principles.” He says, “Follow Me,” the Person, not a philosophy. Yes, it can be costly, but it is also beautiful and purposeful. Following Him leads to eternity in Christ.
Read: Matthew 11:29; Colossians 3:12
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 17:25-28; Proverbs 18:1-6; Romans 8:1-17; Hosea 8; Hosea 9