What Jesus Really Meant About Following Him
A Day in the Life of Jesus
I’ve often thought about how people respond when Jesus says, “Follow me.” It sounds inviting, doesn’t it? But in Luke 9:57–62, we’re faced with something far more demanding than just an invitation to a new way of life. This isn’t about inspiration. It’s about commitment—raw, unwavering, no-strings-attached dedication.
As Jesus walked, someone said boldly, “I will always follow you no matter where you go.” A part of me cheers when I hear that—yes! That’s the energy! But Jesus doesn’t congratulate him. Instead, He says, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but I have no place to lay my head.” In other words, this path isn’t one of comfort. Jesus, the very Son of God, walked the earth without the security of a home. That’s unsettling. If I’m honest, I like my routines, my warm bed, my sense of stability. But following Jesus means I might have to surrender all that for something more eternal.
Jesus never sugarcoated discipleship. There’s no prosperity gospel here, no promise that following Him will lead to earthly gain. He challenges the idea that we can have discipleship and comfort. Why do I follow Jesus? Is it for blessing, or is it because He is Lord? These are questions that pierce the soul.
Then comes the man who wanted to follow Jesus but said, “First let me bury my father.” It sounds like a reasonable request. But Jesus responds, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” At first glance, that feels harsh. But when I dig deeper, I realize Jesus isn’t dismissing grief or family. He’s pointing to a greater urgency. The call of the Kingdom isn’t something we delay until life is more convenient. It’s not a hobby we add once everything else is settled. It’s the main thing. Eternity is always pressing in.
There was another man who said, “I’ll follow You, Lord—but first let me say goodbye to my family.” Again, Jesus draws a hard line: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.” That one really gets me. Because how often do I say, “Yes, Lord… but let me finish this first”? Jesus wasn’t saying we can’t love our families. But He was saying our obedience must be decisive. No hesitations. No delays. No glancing back.
These exchanges are jarring. But they reveal something deeply insightful: Jesus didn’t want emotional spurts of loyalty. He wanted endurance. And He still does. He is Lord, not just of our afterlife, but of our here-and-now choices.
Here’s the truth we’d often rather skip: following Jesus may cost you everything. It may cost your popularity—because not every crowd walks His way. It may cost your leisure time—because serving others, praying deeply, and wrestling with Scripture takes time. It may cost habits or hobbies you once treasured. And in some cases, it might cost relationships, status, or even safety.
But I’ve found that what He offers in return is of infinitely greater value. Because while the cost is high, the worth is higher. To walk with Jesus is to walk into eternal life. The security we leave behind is replaced by something far deeper—peace that passes understanding, purpose that stretches beyond death, and love that never fails.
We can’t follow Jesus selectively. That’s the temptation, isn’t it? To accept His mercy but ignore His justice. To seek His crown but bypass His cross. To receive His blessings but dodge His commands. But that’s not discipleship. That’s convenience. And Jesus never called us to convenience.
He called us to commitment.
So today, I’m asking myself—and maybe you’ll ask yourself too—what am I clinging to that keeps me from following Jesus fully? What excuses do I still offer that delay my obedience? Have I truly counted the cost, and am I still willing to say yes?
I’m learning that there’s no halfway with Jesus. There’s only forward. And He’s worth it.
Blessing:
Thank you for setting aside this moment to study the life of our Lord. May your heart grow in courage as you walk His path. May you find strength in sacrifice and joy in obedience. And may your day be shaped by the presence of the One who calls you forward, never backward.
Related Article:
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-does-it-mean-to-count-the-cost-to-follow-jesus.html
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