Jesus followers - Jesus people (Part 3)

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | June 4, 2023 | Matthew 16:24-28

KEY VERSE:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” Matt 16:24 (NIV)

MESSAGE From our earlier devotionals, we discussed two of the three things Jesus mentioned as requirements to be His disciple: denying oneself and taking up one’s cross. The third thing Jesus said as a requirement to be His disciple, is the act of following Him. What does it really take to follow someone or something? Our world today has tried to give another meaning to the act of following as regards following people on various social media platforms. However, one or two principles cut across both this following and the kind Jesus was talking about.

Following requires an intentional decision to identify with someone or something and making the necessary efforts to consistently update yourself with the activities and influenced by that person or thing. So, when you follow someone or something, you willingly submit yourself to learn from and be engaged by the person or thing. Take a minute and think about who or what you follow on social media or are following in real life. What is the motivation and purpose for the following and what do you hope to achieve by following? Jesus asked us to be his disciples by denying ourselves, taking up our cross then willingly following Him. Therefore, allowing Him to teach us His ways, learning His word and practising what we learn from Him marks the act of good following. Following means also we become willing students of the leader and grow to the point where we can be like the leader. Who we follow is very important since we are influenced by what we learn from the leader and are moulded by it.

FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE Following Jesus is an act of willingly submitting to Him to learn from Him and be guided by Him. This also includes willingly submitting to any earthly authority God has placed over us. The goal of following Jesus is to be transformed through his word to become like Him. That should be our goal.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I will follow you with every step I take. Please guide me in my walk with you, to be transformed to look like you. For your dear name’s sake. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!