Following Jesus

Jesus loved life! He invited those who encountered him to not only discover true life but an entirely new way of living. To those seeking this new life, Jesus said, “Come, follow me”.

This collection of 52 of Jesus’ commands is offered as an echo of Jesus’ invitation to you to, “Come, follow me.” This invitation wasn’t simply a new moral or religious way of living. Rather, following Jesus includes an invitation into his new, ultimate experience of reality. He invites us into an intimate relationship with the true and living God. He further invites us to live, just like Him, empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, with the same sense of calling and destiny that he lived. Jesus wasf confident that this new life would be so radically different that he described it as being “born again”. This didn’t mean we would return to a physical womb, but a recreation of our desires, dreams and capacities from scratch by God’s Holy Spirit.

Each chapter of this book should stand on its own. However, together, they give us a picture of not only Jesus and his message but of ourselves and our great need for Jesus. For example, when Jesus calls us to forgive like he forgives us, we are first reminded of how merciful he is towards us. Secondly, we are confronted with how our own efforts to forgive others fall below even our own expectations of ourselves. Finally, as we contemplate these truths, Jesus gently teaches us that through faith in him, he not only forgives us of our unforgiveness but teaches us and empowers us to become someone who forgives just like he does.

Jesus’ teachings have been organised into four key relationships. Firstly, Jesus teaches us how to relate to God. Secondly, he teaches us how to relate to ourselves. Thirdly, he teaches us how to relate to people around us. Finally, he teaches us how to embrace God’s mission for you and I to this beautiful and broken world.

You’ll notice that the assumption is that each of these relationships are active relationships. Jesus’ commands invite us to transform how we live, move and love in this world. While some of us don’t like the idea of being commanded what to do. Jesus’ commands are unlike anyone else’s commands. All his commands are designed to shepherd you into a life of true joy. He even describes himself as, “The way, the truth and the light”! He wants to lead you from your darkness into his light. There’s no doubt his invitation is bold and if you’re willing to start, then I want to affirm you for your courage!

Just like most things in life, following Jesus is best done together. Why not invite someone to go through this with you and share how following Jesus is challenging, growing or changing you?

Enjoy the journey!

Dan Harding

dan@openroad.church