A Transformed Life, Part One
What It Really Means to Follow Jesus
In Luke 9:23, Jesus gives a powerful invitation: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” In today’s world, the word follow often feels shallow—similar to clicking “follow” on social media. But in Biblical times, following someone meant leaving everything behind to learn from them, live with them, and become like them. Jesus wasn’t inviting people to admire Him from a distance; He was calling them to become true disciples whose lives were fully devoted to Him.
This invitation wasn’t only for the original twelve disciples. When Jesus spoke these words, He was extending that same call to every believer, including us today. Later in Matthew 28:19, Jesus reinforces this mission in what we know as the Great Commission, instructing His followers to go and make disciples of all nations. He didn’t ask us to simply create converts or gain more “followers,” but to help people grow into devoted disciples who live transformed lives.
Jesus outlines several key elements of what it means to truly follow Him. The first is desire. Scripture says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple…” which reminds us that discipleship begins with a genuine longing for God. Just as our desires shape many of the decisions we make in life, a deep spiritual desire leads us to seek Christ and recognize the void in our hearts that only He can fill.
The second requirement is denial of self. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves—not merely by giving up small comforts, but by surrendering our pride, selfishness, and personal control. In a culture that celebrates independence and self-reliance, this can be difficult. Yet true discipleship means becoming dependent on Christ and allowing His will to shape our lives rather than our own desires.
The third element is taking up our cross, which symbolizes a willingness to sacrifice. When Jesus used this phrase, His listeners understood the seriousness of it. Crucifixion was a brutal form of execution used by the Romans, and the disciples would have associated the cross with suffering and death. Jesus was calling His followers to a level of commitment that could cost them everything. History shows that most of the original disciples were ultimately martyred for their faith, demonstrating the depth of their devotion.
Finally, discipleship requires devotion—a daily commitment to follow Jesus and allow Him to transform our lives. Following Christ isn’t meant to be a once-a-week activity or a box we check on Sunday mornings. Instead, it involves inviting Jesus into every part of our lives—our relationships, our words, our decisions, and our priorities. True discipleship isn’t about information alone; it’s about transformation.
The lives of the early disciples show us what this kind of commitment looks like. Many of them left careers, comfort, and security to follow Jesus. Their stories include both remarkable faith and human shortcomings, reminding us that discipleship is a journey of growth.
Ultimately, the question each of us must answer is the same one the first disciples faced: What are we willing to leave behind in order to follow Jesus more closely? True discipleship begins with a simple but life-changing decision—to say yes to Him and allow that yes to reshape every part of our lives.
