The Invitation to Follow Jesus – Called to the Journey

In the gospels, “Follow me,” was a call often heard from Jesus. From the beginning of His ministry, as He gave the invitation to His first disciples, through His journeys as He invites others, to the cross and beyond, Jesus called for people to follow him.

This call was simple and was given to sinners and unbelievers. Men, women, the poor, the rich, the religious, and the nonreligious were invited to come discover who He was. Many who responded came to realize that they were following more than a great teacher. They discovered Him as the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Caesar Kalinowski writes:

“Discipleship is the process of moving from unbelief to belief, concerning what is true of God, and now true of us, in every area of life”

Caesar Kalinowski: Small Is Big, Slow Is Fast

Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Today spend some time and read through the invitation to follow that Jesus gave in the gospels.

Matthew

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:19-20 NIV (Emphasis added)
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:22 NIV (Emphasis added)
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9 NIV (Emphasis added)
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38 NIV (Emphasis added)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 NIV (Emphasis added)
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21 NIV (Emphasis added)

Mark

As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. Mark 2:14 NIV (Emphasis added)
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34 NIV (Emphasis added)
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21 NIV (Emphasis added)

Luke

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, Luke 5:27 NIV (Emphasis added)
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 NIV (Emphasis added)
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22 NIV (Emphasis added)

John

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 1:43 NIV (Emphasis added)
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV (Emphasis added)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NIV (Emphasis added)
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will John 12:26 NIV (Emphasis added)
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:19-22 NIV (Emphasis added)

Who Do You Follow?

All seekers are invited to come, follow, and discover who Jesus is.

Have you ever thought about what it means to follow Jesus? If not, you should, because Jesus’ invitation is still offered today.

If you have accepted this call to journey with Jesus, do you have friends who need to hear His invitation? Why not simply invite them to join you on your journey of discovery.

Do you have a small group of fellow seekers you are traveling with on this journey of discovery?

Contact Called to the Journey for more information about the invitation to follow Jesus and Discovery Communities.