Following Jesus
What it means to come after him.
Jesus' costly, freeing invitation.
The big idea
Following Jesus costs everything and gives back more than it takes.
What does “Following Jesus” walk through?
The Daily Choice
Luke 9:23 · KJV
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
In plain English
If you want to follow me, deny yourself. Pick up your cross every day. Follow.
Daily, Not Once
Following is a daily decision. Each morning you choose him again.
Deny Yourself
Matthew 16:24 · KJV
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
In plain English
If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow.
Losing to Find
Self-denial sounds like loss, but Jesus calls it the way to truly live.
What's It Worth
Mark 8:36 · KJV
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
In plain English
What's the win if you get everything you wanted but lose who you actually are?
Pray
Jesus, I choose to follow you today — in how I live, not just what I say. Amen.
Write it down
How can you follow Jesus today, not just believe in him?
You finished: Following Jesus
Take up your cross and walk — he's ahead of you.
Which passages does this journey use?
3 passages, drawn from Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:36. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 5 minutes for the whole thing, or 6 short sittings.
- Luke 9:23
- Matthew 16:24
- Mark 8:36
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.