Understanding What It Means to Follow Jesus
Introduction
Many people have heard about the story where Jesus calls Levi (also known as Matthew), a tax collector, to follow him. The story goes like this: Levi is at his job, collecting taxes, and Jesus simply says, “Follow me.” Immediately, Levi gets up and follows Jesus (Mark 2:14). For some, this can be confusing. Why does Levi leave everything so quickly? Did he know Jesus before? Was there something in his life that made him ready for this moment? The Bible doesn’t answer these questions. Instead, it shows us something very important about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
The Power of the Call
When Jesus calls someone, it’s not just a suggestion or an invitation to think about later. It’s a powerful, direct call that asks for a response right away. In Levi’s case, he didn’t need to know Jesus for a long time or think about the decision for days. Jesus’ authority and presence were so strong that Levi’s only real option was to obey. The call to discipleship is not about making a careful, calculated decision after weighing the pros and cons; it’s about responding to the person of Jesus, who has the authority and power to change lives on the spot.
Obedience Over Understanding
Many of us try to find reasons or explanations for why people follow Jesus. Maybe we think they had a special experience or background that made them ready. But the Bible doesn’t focus on those details. Instead, it highlights the importance of obedience. When Jesus calls, the right response is to follow—even if we don’t totally understand what’s happening or what will come next. Discipleship starts with obedience, not with having all the answers or a deep faith already in place. In fact, faith and obedience go hand-in-hand: you obey because you trust, and your trust grows as you obey.
Nothing in the Way
Jesus wants us to follow him with no strings attached. In other stories, people come to Jesus and say they want to follow him, but they have conditions: “Let me bury my father first,” or “Let me say goodbye to my family.” Jesus’ answer is clear—following him needs to come before everything else, even things that seem really important or good. Discipleship isn’t something we fit into our lives when it’s convenient; it’s a new way of living that puts Jesus first, above all other plans, obligations, or relationships.
Letting Go of the Old Life
Levi left his job, his security, and his old life behind. This wasn’t because his old life was bad, but because following Jesus meant stepping into something completely new. The call to discipleship is a call to leave behind whatever holds us back—our comfort zones, our plans, even our sense of security—and to put our trust in Jesus alone. It’s not about what we’re giving up, but about who we’re following. Everything else becomes less important compared to being with Jesus and learning from him.
Faith and Obedience: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Some people think that faith comes first and then obedience follows, like the fruit growing on a tree. But the Bible teaches that faith becomes real in the act of obedience. In other words, when you step out and obey, that’s when your faith comes alive. If you try to have faith without ever taking action, it’s not real faith. At the same time, you can’t truly obey Jesus unless you trust him. Faith and obedience are always connected: only those who believe obey, and only those who obey truly believe.
Discipleship Is About Jesus, Not Just Religion
Being a disciple isn’t just about following religious rules or having the right beliefs. It’s about being attached to Jesus himself. If we try to separate following Jesus from knowing Jesus, we miss the point. You can study religious ideas, be enthusiastic about good causes, or even suffer for your beliefs, but if you’re not following Jesus himself, you’re missing the heart of discipleship. True discipleship is about living in relationship with Jesus, trusting him, and letting him lead you.
The First Step
The most important thing is to take that first step when Jesus calls. For Levi, it meant leaving his tax booth. For Peter, it meant leaving his fishing nets. For you, it might mean letting go of something you depend on, or stepping out in faith in a new way. The call to discipleship is personal and specific. Jesus still calls people today, and the only way to really know him is to answer that call with obedience.
Conclusion
The call to discipleship is simple, yet life-changing: Jesus says, “Follow me.” The only right response is to obey, to leave our old lives behind, and to trust him with our future. It’s not about understanding everything first, or setting our own conditions—it’s about saying “yes” to Jesus and letting him lead us, one step at a time.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 