What does it look like to follow Jesus? For his first disciples, the call was simple and direct: “Leave your nets and follow me.” But what about us? We are not first-century fishermen, and Jesus has ascended to the Father. How do ordinary people today truly follow Jesus?
First, following Jesus begins with faith. Peter, Andrew, James, and John literally left their fishing boats and livelihoods to walk with Jesus. They encountered him, believed in him, and entered into a living relationship with him. While most of us will not abandon our professions or physically leave our homes, the heart of discipleship remains the same. The disciples quickly realized that Jesus was not merely claiming authority as a rabbi; he claimed authority as God. They followed not just a teacher, but the Messiah. To follow Jesus today means recognizing his lordship over all creation—and over our own lives. It means surrendering ourselves in exchange for his forgiveness, grace, and new life.
Second, following Jesus means growing in relationship with him. Jesus spent three years living, teaching, and ministering alongside his disciples, and the impact of that time was transformative. Popular author Malcolm Gladwell suggests that mastery in any field requires roughly 10,000 hours of intentional practice. Three years of constant life with Jesus far exceeds that threshold. The disciples came to know Jesus deeply, not just intellectually, but relationally and experientially.
This challenges us. While any time spent with Jesus is valuable, our priorities matter. If someone spends just ten minutes a day reading Scripture and praying, it would take about two centuries to reach 10,000 hours. We can either hope for an unusually long life—or we can intentionally reorder our time. Following Jesus means investing in knowing him. We read Scripture, learn to pray, gather for worship, engage preaching and teaching, and serve both the church and the community in his name. Our life with Jesus becomes our primary vocation. Gladwell’s rule does not guarantee transformation, but it does expose how easily discipleship can become secondary. Perhaps our struggle to make disciples begins with our own need to grow.
Finally, following Jesus means embodying his life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Before Pentecost, the disciples struggled to live like Jesus; we struggle too if we rely only on our own effort. Welcoming Jesus as Savior is the starting line, not the finish. Growth requires intentional investment, but it also requires supernatural power. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, and at Pentecost he fulfilled that promise. Every believer who fully surrenders to Jesus can be filled with the Spirit and empowered for faithful living. The Spirit transforms our desires, strengthens our obedience, and shapes our character. We begin to think, love, and act like Jesus—and that becomes a gift to our families, churches, and communities.
Nazarene Discipleship International defines discipleship as “following Jesus and making disciples by including others in our journey of grace.” Let us follow Jesus wholeheartedly—and truly become his disciples.
Global NDI Director,
Sam Barber
