The Way of Jesus: Letting Who Jesus Is Shape How We Follow
Most of us could say who Jesus is if someone asked, but knowing who he is should also change the way we follow him. That shows up in ordinary places, like how we carry a hard season, whether we own our mistakes and who we’re willing to move toward.
In Luke 9:18-27, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answers, “God’s Messiah,” but he’s expecting a Messiah who conquers rather than one who suffers. Jesus explains that he will be rejected, killed and raised on the third day, and then invites anyone who wants to follow him to “deny themselves and take up their cross daily” (Luke 9:23).
See Jesus Clearly
It’s easy to follow the version of Jesus we’d prefer, one who mostly agrees with our plans. Seeing him clearly starts where this passage does, with prayer, and grows as we let his word correct our picture of him.
Try this: Pray before you read Luke 9:18-27 this week, then ask where the Jesus on the page is different from the one you’ve been expecting.
Surrender to his Way
Denying ourselves often begins with admitting where we’re the problem and letting our need to be right or in control give way to his lead. Taking up the cross also means bringing the hard things we didn’t choose to the Father instead of just gritting our teeth, trusting that nothing we carry with Jesus is wasted.
Reflect: Where do you need to stop defending yourself, and what hard thing could you hand to Jesus today?
Follow Jesus All the Way
We don’t deny ourselves for its own sake but so we can follow Jesus, and following him looks like love that moves toward people and problems the way he moved toward us. A disciple is someone who daily leans on Jesus to learn from Jesus, live like Jesus and lead others to Jesus, and love like this is where it shows.
Try this: Choose one person or situation you’ve been avoiding and take one step toward it in love this week.
Take It Into Your Week
Take these questions with you this week, whether you think them through on your own or talk them over with your small group.
Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” How would you personally answer that question today? How does your understanding of who Jesus is shape the way you follow him?
Peter knew who Jesus was, but he didn’t yet understand where Jesus was going. Why do you think it’s possible to believe the right things about Jesus while still resisting his way? Are there areas where you find yourself wanting Jesus to fit your expectations rather than following his?
Jesus says, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” What do you think Jesus means by this upside-down way of living? Where are you tempted to protect, preserve, or advance your own life rather than surrender it to Jesus?
The passage begins with Jesus praying. What does Jesus’ dependence upon the Father teach us about discipleship? What might it look like for you to make prayer a more foundational part of your following Jesus?
A Prayer for This Week
Each morning, pray: “Jesus, give me the boldness to follow you.” When following him feels like more than you can manage, let that prayer remind you that the strength comes from him.
We’d love to see you this Sunday as we keep learning to follow Jesus together.