Come Follow Me

Every Christian knows that Jesus told his disciples in several of the gospels, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matt. 16:24. And that command applies to anyone who claims to be a Christian today. So, quick, before you read on please stop and try defining that phrase. What does it actually mean to follow Jesus in 2026?

I wasn’t kidding. If you haven’t answered my question, please do it now before reading on.

I think the best modern day comparison would be an apprentice. An apprentice agrees to learn from a Master of whatever trade, or skill they want to learn for a period of time until the apprentice reaches a certain level of competency and can exercise that skill on their own. Rarely are they as good as the master after only a few years, but hopefully that will come if they stay the course and apply what they’ve learned.

There are ways we can still “lean over Jesus shoulder” and learn from him. The most obvious way is to study scriptures so seriously that you are able “to finish Jesus’ sentences.” By that I mean your goal should be to study Jesus and get to the point where you have the mind of Christ on most major moral and spiritual issues.

Second, it means to pray for and find a spiritual mentor who can help counsel you on what it means to actually follow Jesus in 2026. How does he, or she make their moral, spiritual and even financial decisions based on what Jesus taught?

Finally, it means to yield your life to the Holy Spirit. Ephesians teaches us, “Do not be drunk with wine be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Back in my pre-Christ days when I got drunk I threw most of my inhibitions to the wind. I let alcohol so control me that I would do things and say things I would never do sober. So the idea of Paul’s teaching in Galatians means, just let the Holy Spirit lead you to do what you know you ought to do based on the Bible without over-thinking the cost of obedience. As Nike says, “Just do it!”

A warning about following.

There are other ways we can “follow” people we’ve never met. Our pastor said this a few Sundays ago, “We tend to become like those we follow.” By that he meant to warn us. If you listen regularly to a blogger, podcaster, a radio or TV personality, or even a good friend who while claiming to be a Christ-follower does not talk or act like one you will slowly over time become like those you follow. Ask yourself, “Are they are kind and thoughtful? Do they stir you to be more virtuous, or more angry? Would Jesus admire them both for their wisdom and humility?” Be careful who you “follow.”