Looking for some simple Bible devotions? Verse reflections like this are by everydayย Christian writersโreal people just like you! They help give us reasons why the Bible is relevant for everyday life, and how we can connect with God each day.ย
Following Jesus Daily
How can we follow Jesus in our daily lives? Is following him a set of rules? A one time decision? Sometimes, โfollowing Jesusโ can just feel like checking a morning devotional off of a list.ย
If โfollowing Jesus dailyโ starts to feel like a checklist item, consider pausing to breathe deeply of his grace. Join us in Sarahโs take on what following Jesus daily can look like…
Scripture: โThen he said to them all: โWhoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save itโโ (Luke 9:23-24).ย
Written by Sarah J Callen
Recently, Iโve been asking what it means to follow Jesus. I donโt want to just be a person who goes to churchโI want to be a real disciple, like Jesus spoke of in Luke. Christian culture has many different expectations about discipleship, so Iโve been returning to the source: Jesusโs words. In verses like Luke 9:23-24, Jesus gets really clear about what is required to be his disciple: death (but perhaps not in the way you might think).ย
Iโm grateful Jesus doesnโt ask us to do something that he didnโt do himself. Jesus willingly died for us. His act of coming to earth and taking on the form of man was a form of self-denial. His choice to continually love the unlovable was an example of sacrifice. And, in the most radical expression of self denial, Jesus died an unjust death on the cross. He submitted to the will of the Father, knowing that his death would ultimately lead to glorious life (for us!).ย
Jesus doesnโt just secure my life for eternity, but provides a model for how I can live today. His life and death reminds me that true life is not found in doing whatever pleases me. Instead, a fulfilling life comes from following the uncomfortable path of choosing Godโs good plans, priorities, and perspectives over my own.
Why It Matters
In practice, dying to self looks different for each of us. Jesus isnโt waiting for you to find the right list of rules to followโheโs not expecting a performance. Instead, he gives you this simple but life-changing invitation to follow himโin the way you work, love, think, and act. And to help you discern specifics, heโs given you the Holy Spirit. Ask him how heโs inviting you to follow him today!
Searching for another Bible verse with reflection? We have more simple devotions to connect with God in the ordinary, extraordinary, and everyday moment of life. Click here to check them out!
