September 23, 2026

Jesus commands us to follow Him. If we love someone, we want to spend time with them. If we respect someone and the work that they do, we would love an opportunity to follow them and watch them in action. That is what Jesus is offering us. He’s offering us time with Him and an opportunity to be His protégé.

The disciples had up-close and personal training from Jesus. Just think how awesome that must’ve been. They saw Jesus Christ heal people, cast out demons, and teach large crowds. It must’ve been amazing seeing how people flocked to Jesus. People who were sinners wanted to follow Jesus, like the tax collector.

The tax collector’s name was Levi, and his story is found in Luke 5:27–32—also told in Mark 2:14–17 and Matthew 9:9–13. Jesus just walked up and said, “Follow me,” and Levi dropped everything, left his tax booth, and threw a big feast for Jesus.

Even the disciples stopped what they were doing to follow Jesus. The first disciples in Matthew 4:18–22—Peter, Andrew, James, and John—left their nets and their father on the spot. Philip, in John 1:43, got the same two-word call.

Although it was probably exciting following Jesus, it also had a downside. Following Jesus costs something. In Mark 10:17–22, there was a rich young ruler who wanted to follow Jesus but wouldn’t leave his money behind—he walked away sad, which shows following Jesus really costs something.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus lays it out plain—deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him. Not once, not occasionally—daily. The cost is our own will: our plans, our comfort, our reputation, sometimes our money and our relationships. Look at Levi—it cost him his career and probably his standing with everyone he knew. The disciples left their nets, their boats, their father. Mark 10:29–30 even lists what gets surrendered—houses, family, lands—and Jesus promises it comes back, just in a different currency.

It may cost us, but the return is unmatched. In Matthew 16:24–25, Jesus says whoever loses his life for His sake will find it. So, the cost is real, but it’s not a loss—it’s a trade. You give up your little plan and get His better one. That’s the whole bargain He’s offering.

This command may feel heavy, but the benefits outweigh the costs. It’s not easy to let go of what may seem like stability. However, everything that we want to hold onto will someday be gone. Whether it’s money, property, relationships, or something else near and dear, let it go. We must let go. Jesus is the answer. He has the better plan, and His love is something we could never compare to anyone or anything.

I gave up my lifestyle. For some reason, I thought it was more important to have so-called fun than to be disciplined and show appreciation for what Jesus has done for me. I thought I could have it all. I wanted to still live my life partying and still be devoted to Jesus Christ. I started Bible clubs for the children in my neighborhood throughout the summer. I stayed disciplined the whole time. I didn’t drink or party. I stayed focused. Then, once the summer was over, I went back to my old ways. I kept doing this until I started really following Jesus Christ. Scripture started meaning much more. I took what He said seriously. I decided to let this world go, because God showed me that I could trust Him and that His plan for my life was the only plan I wanted to follow. God knows what’s best for me, and He does things for my good. He is intentional. It may seem like He isn’t protecting you, but that’s because you can’t see the future. He can.

This command may feel heavy, but the benefits outweigh the costs. It’s not easy to let go of what may seem like stability. However, everything that we want to hold onto will someday be gone. Whether it’s money, property, relationships, or something else near and dear, let it go. We must let go. Jesus is the answer. He has the better plan, and His love is something we could never compare to anyone or anything.