Following the Way of Jesus
The call to follow the way of Jesus stands at the heart of Christian discipleship. Following the way of Jesus rather than the way of the world means entering into a transformative relationship that reorients every aspect of life. The New Testament presents Jesus not only as the Savior but as the model for human living, the one whose life, death, and resurrection defines the path that believers must walk. This article will explore what it means to follow the way of Jesus.
The Biblical Foundation
The Gospels repeatedly record Jesus’ invitation to “follow me,” a phrase that encapsulates the essence of discipleship. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew with the words, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This call is echoed throughout the Gospels, emphasizing both the immediacy and the totality of the response required. To follow Jesus is to leave behind former allegiances and to embrace a new identity shaped by his presence and mission.
The Gospel of John deepens this theme by presenting Jesus as “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Here, Jesus himself is the path by which one comes to know God. The way of Jesus isn’t inseparable from the person of Jesus. To follow him is to participate in his life, to be united with him in faith, and to walk as he walked (1 John 2:6).
The Meaning of Following the Way of Jesus
To follow the way of Jesus is to embrace a life of faith, obedience, and transformation. It involves a radical reorientation of one’s priorities, values, and affections. Among other difficult teachings, Jesus himself sets the terms of discipleship: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). This statement underscores the real sacrifice of discipleship. It is not a path of self-fulfillment or worldly success, but one of self-denial, sacrificial love, and, at times, suffering. But the reward is eternal.
In Romans 12:1-2, the apostle Paul urges believers to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” The way of Jesus is a journey of continual renewal, in which the believer is conformed more and more to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
Imitating the Character of Jesus
Central to following the way of Jesus is the imitation of his character. The New Testament repeatedly exhorts believers to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2). Jesus’ life was marked by humility, compassion, and unwavering obedience to the will of God. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul urges the church to “have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” describing how Jesus “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
This Christlike humility and self-giving love are not optional add-ons to the Christian life; they are its very essence. To follow Jesus is to be shaped by his example, to love as he loved, and to serve as he served. This cannot be accomplished by human effort alone, but by the work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to bear the fruit of Christlike character (Galatians 5:22-23).
Living in Community and Mission
The way of Jesus is not a solitary journey. From the beginning, Jesus called disciples into community, forming them into a new people who would embody his kingdom values. The early church understood itself as the body of Christ, a community marked by mutual love, forgiveness, and service (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:12-17). Jesus’ command to “love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34) remains the defining mark of his followers. Jesus himself is love, and from his love, all things flow.
Following Jesus means participation in his mission. Jesus declared, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). The way of Jesus is a way of witness, as believers are called to proclaim the good news of the kingdom, to make disciples of all nations, and to serve as agents of reconciliation in a broken world (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). This mission is not a burden but a privilege, as believers are invited to share in the redemptive work of God.
The Role of Faith and Dependence
Following the way of Jesus is not merely a matter of external conformity to his example; it is rooted in a living faith and dependence upon God. Jesus taught his disciples to trust in the Father’s provision and to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). When fear and doubt threatened to overwhelm them, Jesus repeatedly said, “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27; Matthew 28:10), reminding them that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains when aligned with God’s will (Matthew 21:21-22).
This faith is a confident trust in the character and promises of God. It is sustained by prayer, nourished by the Scriptures, and strengthened in the fellowship of believers. As the apostle John writes, “By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected” (1 John 2:3-5).
The Cost and Reward of Following Jesus
Jesus never minimized the cost of discipleship. He warned that following him would entail rejection, persecution, and even the loss of one’s life (Matthew 10:38-39; John 15:18-20). Yet he also promised that those who lose their life for his sake will find it, and that the reward of following him far surpasses any earthly sacrifice (Matthew 19:29).
The ultimate reward of following Jesus is not material prosperity or worldly acclaim, but the joy of knowing God and sharing in his eternal life. As Jesus prayed, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). The way of Jesus leads to abundant life, both now and in the age to come (John 10:10).
Practical Outworking: How to Follow Jesus Today
Following the way of Jesus in the contemporary world involves both continuity and contextualization. The core principles remain unchanged: faith in Jesus, obedience to his teachings, imitation of his character, participation in his community, and engagement in his mission. Yet the specific expressions of discipleship will vary according to context, culture, and individual calling.
Practically, this means cultivating habits of prayer, Scripture reading, and worship; hearing and obeying the voice of Jesus; seeking accountability and encouragement in Christian community; serving others in love; and bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed. It also means resisting the patterns of the world that are contrary to the way of Jesus and being willing to suffer for the sake of righteousness.
Above all, following Jesus is a journey of grace. The gospel reminds us that we do not follow Jesus in our own strength, but by the power of the Spirit and the assurance of God’s love. As the classic children’s song affirms, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” This love is the foundation and motivation for all true discipleship.
Conclusion
To follow the way of Jesus is to embark on a lifelong journey of transformation, shaped by faith, love, and hope. It is to walk in the footsteps of the one who gave himself for us, to be conformed to his image, and to participate in his redemptive mission. This path is marked by both cost and reward, by suffering and joy, but above all by the abiding presence of Jesus, who promises, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). In following Jesus, believers find not only the way to God, but the way to true life.