Looking for some simple Bible devotions? Verse reflections like this are by everyday Christian writers—real 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.
Following Jesus Daily
How can we follow Jesus in our daily lives? Is following him a set of rules? A one time decision? Sometimes, “following Jesus” can just feel like checking a morning devotional off of a list.
If “following Jesus daily” starts to feel like a checklist item, consider pausing to breathe deeply of his grace. Join us in Sarah’s take on what following Jesus daily can look like…
Scripture: “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever 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 it’” (Luke 9:23-24).
Written by Sarah J Callen
Recently, I’ve been asking what it means to follow Jesus. I don’t want to just be a person who goes to church—I want to be a real disciple, like Jesus spoke of in Luke. Christian culture has many different expectations about discipleship, so I’ve been returning to the source: Jesus’s 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).
I’m grateful Jesus doesn’t ask us to do something that he didn’t 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!).
Jesus doesn’t 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 God’s good plans, priorities, and perspectives over my own.
Why It Matters
In practice, dying to self looks different for each of us. Jesus isn’t waiting for you to find the right list of rules to follow—he’s not expecting a performance. Instead, he gives you this simple but life-changing invitation to follow him—in the way you work, love, think, and act. And to help you discern specifics, he’s given you the Holy Spirit. Ask him how he’s 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!
