When people hear "follow Jesus" it can sound cliche and seem impossible! We all have our own desires, preferences and plans.

Following Jesus starts in the little things. It's not just these dramatic reversals in our life. It's about following His ways, His Word, and His example. Reading the Bible helps to understand how to respond like Jesus to life's curveballs. It reveals conviction as we are confronted with truth and stories showing examples of people who followed Him... and those who didn't.

Don't overcomplicate it. You can't do it on your own. You need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you from the inside out. That will happen as you read the Word and talk to the Lord in prayer throughout your day.

Sit in these scriptures and think about Jesus's heart posture and actions. You will respond with obedience from reverence as you realize how much Jesus loves you.

Scripture:  (Matthew 4:19-22)

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

Read more at: Matthew 4:18-22 NKJV - Four Fishermen Called as Disciples - Bible Gateway

COMMENTARY:  Jesus invited Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him.  They accepted the invitation, immediately dropped their nets, boat, and family to follow Him. Here are a few things to notice from this story:

• These men were normal people like you and me.  Living their life the best they could and making a go of it. They were not saints.  Just normal people. Yet Jesus gave them the invitation. Right where they were. 
• Jesus didn't give them details of what was to come or provide them with explanations. He simply asked them to trust and follow Him. 
• Jesus gave them a choice. He didn't try to negotiate, force or talk them into it. He didn't manipulate or scare them with negative consequences.
• They didn't delay in dropping their nets, boat, or family - essentially their entire life as they knew it.  Remember that their livelihood, identity, and their lives were anchored on being fishermen.  They were likely from a fishing family doing what generations before did. To drop their nets and leave their old life behind was an incredible act of obedience, trust, and demonstration of faith in Jesus. 

TAKEAWAY - Their "YES" was visible in what they surrendered. It looked like something different. They didn't follow Jesus because they knew the plan... they followed Him because they knew Him.    

Scripture: (John 10:22-27)

22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.” 

Read more at:  John 10:22-30 NKJV - The Shepherd Knows His Sheep - Now it - Bible Gateway

COMMENTARY: 

Jesus told the people that He was the Son of God. He did signs and wonders and showed them how to live rightly.  Yet so many heard and saw but still chose not to believe. 

• Jesus had already revealed his identity through both words and works.  Jesus responds to the people’s demand for a direct answer by reminding them that He had already told them who He was—and more than that, His works in the Father’s name were undeniable evidence. His miracles, teachings, and authority were themselves a clear declaration of His identity as the Christ.
• Their unbelief was not due to lack of evidence—but a lack of willingness.  The crowd accused Jesus of “keeping them in doubt,” shifting responsibility for their unbelief onto Him. But Jesus exposes the truth:
• They were not confused—they were resistant.
  Even though they had walked with Him, heard Him, and witnessed miracles firsthand, they still refused to believe. This reveals a deeper reality: some people choose doubt, even when truth is presented plainly. Evidence alone cannot convince a heart that does not want to believe.
• Their unbelief revealed their spiritual condition—they were not His sheep.  Jesus explains that their inability to believe was rooted in this:  “You are not of My sheep.” His sheep are marked by three things:

1. They hear His voice.
2. He knows them intimately.
3. They follow Him.

• Jesus gives His sheep eternal life and unshakeable security. For those who do follow Him, Jesus makes powerful promises: 

1. Eternal life
2. They will never perish
3. No one can snatch them out of His hand
4. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand

Jesus and the Father are united in power and purpose:  “I and My Father are one.”
This means salvation is not fragile—it is secure, held by God Himself.

TAKEAWAY:  Jesus confronted a crowd who demanded clarity while rejecting the evidence already given to them. Their doubt was not caused by Jesus’ lack of revelation but by their unwillingness to believe. Their unbelief revealed that they did not belong to His flock—because His true sheep recognize His voice, respond to Him, and follow Him. For those who do believe, Jesus offers the unmatched security of eternal life, protected by both the Son and the Father, united as one.

WHAT THIS MEANS: Discipleship begins with a simple but costly invitation: follow Jesus. Not culture, not comfort, not emotions — Him. His ways are written in the Bible and following Him means that we are going to align our life with the Word.  We can't do it alone. It requires a relationship with him through prayer and reading His word.  Doing so builds faith and trust in Him that helps us choose His ways over ours.  There is a cost... our comfort, preferences, emotions, etc., in exchange for His.  The reward of following Him is eternal.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: 

• Choose His way over convenience and preference.
• Make time to hear His voice. Pray and set aside time undistracted.
• Let Scripture guide your decisions. Read your Bible.

REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES: 

• Choosing honesty at work.
• Forgiving someone who hurt you. 
• Saying “yes” to a step of obedience.

Go deeper with these resources:

1. https://bibleproject.com/videos/
2. https://www.blueletterbible.org/
3. https://www.biblegateway.com/
4. https://www.youversion.com/bible-app