Follow Me: The Cost and Commitment of Discipleship

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

— Luke 9:23

More Than Admiration

When Jesus walked the earth, crowds flocked to Him. They were amazed by His teaching and captivated by His miracles. Many admired Him, but few were truly committed. As John records, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66).

Today, the same is true. Many people are curious about Jesus, impressed by His words, or even affectionate toward Him—but genuine discipleship requires more than admiration. It demands commitment.

Deny Yourself and Take Up the Cross

Jesus makes it clear: to follow Him, one must deny self and take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23–24). Self-denial is submission to God’s will over our own. For Jesus, the cross meant obedience unto death (Philippians 2:5–8). For us, it means dying to self and surrendering fully to His lordship.

Following Jesus is not a part-time commitment. It is not adding him to our schedules at our convenience. It is laying down our own ambitions, relationships, and possessions if necessary, to put Him first.

The Cost of Following

In Luke 9:57–62, three would-be disciples show us what following Jesus is not:

1. The Comfortable Follower – A man promises to follow Jesus anywhere, but Jesus reminds him that “the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Luke 9:58). True discipleship means sacrifice, not earthly comfort.

2. The Hesitant Follower – Another delays obedience until after burying his father. Jesus responds, “Let the dead bury their dead” (Luke 9:60). Following Christ cannot be postponed.

3. The Distracted Follower – A third wants to say farewell at home. Jesus answers, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Discipleship demands undivided focus.

   
   

Faith in His Authority

True discipleship also recognizes Jesus’ authority. A Roman centurion once asked Jesus to heal his servant, but told Him not to come personally: “Only say the word, and my servant shall be healed” (Matthew 8:8–9). Jesus marveled at his faith, saying no one in Israel had shown such understanding (Matthew 8:10).

Unlike the crowds, the centurion bowed to Jesus’ authority. Following Christ means trusting His Word, obeying His commands, and submitting to His will—even when it costs us.

True Followers Are Proven Over Time

Becoming a follower of Jesus begins with a decision, but it is proven through endurance. Peter writes that the testing of faith is “much more precious than of gold that perisheth” (1 Peter 1:7). True followers remain faithful through trials, trusting Christ to lead them safely home.

Paul expressed this life of discipleship beautifully: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). To follow Christ is to live by faith in Him daily, surrendering our will to His.

A Call to Commitment

Everyone follows something—culture, friends, money, or self. But Jesus calls us to follow Him alone. He demands first place, not a shared spot in our lives.

To follow Christ is to embrace self-denial, take up the cross, submit to His authority, and remain faithful until the end. It is costly—but it is the only path that leads to eternal life.

Will you follow Him?