“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Mathew 4:19-22

Jesus called His disciples and used the phrase “follow me” over 20 times in the Bible. In the gospel of Matthew we read that they left their occupations and their families to follow Him. Matthew 4:20 NIV says, “At once they left their nets and followed him.” And later in verse 22 it says, “…and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”  There is something profound in how they left. The disciples left to follow Jesus in two ways: instantly and completely. 

They didn’t hesitate in their decision. They didn’t take anything with them. They didn’t run back home to bid farewell to those they loved. They simply said yes to His call. And for the next three years, they did everything with Jesus. 

Many may think that what the disciples did was extreme, and it truly was. They chose to follow a man who spoke to them, who lived simply and served others. Despite this, they felt a strong, pull towards Jesus that they couldn’t explain.

What or who are you following? We all follow something or someone. It may be a person’s teachings, a family legacy, or a spiritual philosophy. Our devotion lies somewhere; we just have to admit where that is.

As followers of Christ, we are to follow Jesus. However, it’s easy to get confused about what that means in our lives. If you ask ten people what it means to follow Jesus, you’re likely to hear ten different opinions, most of which will focus on our actions.

Live good lives.
Be kind.
Show love.
Go to church.
Read the Bible.
Feed the poor.
Pray for others. 

Some people will tell you what you shouldn’t do—swear, cheat, lie, steal, hurt others, or judge. “Just be a good person,” they say. A few, however, will explain that following Jesus means giving up your life so He can live through you. They suggest fully surrendering to Jesus.

Let’s dive into what it means to surrender our lives to Jesus as we follow Him on this earth—to live our lives so deeply connected to Him that saying goodbye to self becomes a joy and an honor. 

No big shocker that following Jesus is costly. The best things in life always are. — Louie Giglio