Who Is Jesus, Lesson 14: Come, Follow Me: What It Means to Be His Disciple

Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Lesson 14, the last lesson in our series, Who Is Jesus? Today's lesson is called Come, Follow Me: What It Means to Be His Disciple.

We're so glad you're here.

We have walked a long road together. We have seen who Jesus is, from the first promise in Genesis to the King on His throne, from His names and His signs to His cross, His priesthood, and His resurrection. The question we asked in Lesson 1 is still the question that matters most: who is Jesus to you? Today the Lord Himself answers that with a call: come, and follow Me.

Our Key Verse

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
— Luke 9:23 (KJV)

"To them all." "If any man will come." This is for every person who will say yes. Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily. Follow Him. That is not a Sunday hobby. That is a life.

Come Unto Me, and Rest

The same Lord who calls us to a cross also calls us to rest:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
— Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

Following Jesus is not a heavier load than the one you already carry. It is His yoke, and He is meek and lowly in heart. If you are tired, if you have laboured to be good enough, if you are heavy laden with sin or sorrow, He says, "Come unto me." The invitation is as wide as "all ye."

The Good Part

Luke tells us of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha was busy and careful about much serving. Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. Jesus was not unkind to Martha, but He was clear:

"But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
— Luke 10:42 (KJV)

A disciple is first a learner at His feet. Service matters, and Martha's work was not nothing. But the one thing needful is Himself. Men and women both can lose the Lord in the busyness of doing things for Him. Choose the good part, and then serve from that place.

Lovest Thou Me?

After the resurrection, Jesus took Peter, who had failed Him, and asked him three times about love. The third time Peter was grieved, and he said:

"Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
— John 21:17 (KJV)

Following Jesus is not first a program. It is love for Him, and then care for His people. If you have failed, you are in Peter's company. The Lord can still use a restored disciple. He still asks, "Lovest thou me?" and He still says, "Follow me."

A Daily Cross, a Lifelong Yes

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
— Matthew 16:24 (KJV)

Luke adds the word "daily." Yesterday's obedience will not carry today. The cross is not only the great crisis of a lifetime. It is the quiet yes, again this morning, to let Him be Lord of your thoughts, your home, your work, your future, and your loves. He must be more than a name we know. He must be the One we follow.

If you have never trusted Him, the first step of discipleship is to come to Him as Saviour. Turn from your sin, and put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. If you already belong to Him, the call is the same today as it was the first day: follow Me.

A Simple Step for This Week

Pray Luke 9:23 each morning this week. Then do one concrete act of following: sit at His feet in the Word, obey one hard command, or care for one of His sheep. At the end of the week, write down how He has been enough.

A Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We come to You, heavy laden, and we find rest. Teach us to choose the good part, to love You, and to take up our cross daily and follow You. For anyone who has never trusted You, draw them today. For those who have failed, restore them, as You restored Peter. You know all things. You know that we love You. Help us to follow. In Your name, amen.

Thank you for walking through Who Is Jesus? with us. Now go, and follow Him.

This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.

Study Questions

1. What three things does Jesus say a person must do to come after Him in Luke 9:23?
2. Why does it matter that He said this "to them all"?
3. What does Jesus promise in Matthew 11:28 to those who labour and are heavy laden?
4. How can His yoke be easy when He also calls us to take up a cross?
5. What is "that good part" which Mary chose in Luke 10:42, and why will it not be taken away?
6. How should Mary's example and Martha's service both teach us as disciples?
7. What did Jesus ask Peter in John 21, and what did He tell Peter to do?
8. What hope is there in this lesson for a person who has failed the Lord?
9. What would it look like for you to take up your cross "daily" this week?
10. After fourteen lessons, who is Jesus to you, and how will you follow Him?