What does Jesus ask of his followers?

Above all, to trust him and to love: 'love one another; as I have loved you' (John 13:34-35). He asks for your whole self, but in order to lead you into life, not to burden you. Obedience grows from love, not fear.

Does Jesus expect his followers to be perfect?

No. Jesus calls people who fail and keeps loving them. He asks for trust and love and a willingness to keep following, not flawless performance, and he supplies by grace what we lack.

What did Jesus mean by 'deny himself'?

Not self-hatred, but letting love rather than self have the last word (Luke 9:23). It means loosening our grip on what rules us so we are free to follow him and love others.

Following Jesus

What Jesus Asks of His Followers

What Jesus asks is simpler and deeper than a list of rules. Above everything, he asks for trust and for love, love for God and love for one another. He said the world would know his followers not by their badges or arguments but by their love. He does ask for your whole self, but he asks it the way a good shepherd does, to lead you into life, not to weigh you down.

What Jesus said

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

John 13:34-35

“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

He asks two things that are really one. Come after me, and love one another as I have loved you. The self-denial he asks is not self-hatred; it is letting love, rather than self, have the last word.

What this looks like

It looks like treating people the way he treated people, the overlooked, the difficult, the enemy included. It looks like forgiving because you have been forgiven. It looks like loosening your grip on things that quietly rule you, not because God is stingy but because your hands are fuller than you know.

And it looks like grace when you fall short, which you will. Jesus does not ask you to be his followers flawlessly. He asks you to keep coming, keep trusting, and keep loving, and he supplies what you lack.

Frequently asked questions

What does Jesus ask of his followers?: Above all, to trust him and to love: 'love one another; as I have loved you' (John 13:34-35). He asks for your whole self, but in order to lead you into life, not to burden you. Obedience grows from love, not fear.
Does Jesus expect his followers to be perfect?: No. Jesus calls people who fail and keeps loving them. He asks for trust and love and a willingness to keep following, not flawless performance, and he supplies by grace what we lack.
What did Jesus mean by 'deny himself'?: Not self-hatred, but letting love rather than self have the last word (Luke 9:23). It means loosening our grip on what rules us so we are free to follow him and love others.

Where to go next. You do not have to have it all figured out. Begin following Jesus → · The gospel → · Meet Jesus → · Read Mark 1 →

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He is still saying, follow me

Following Jesus does not begin with getting your life in order. It begins with him, and with a yes as small as a mustard seed. He walked toward fishermen and tax collectors and simply said, “follow me,” and their whole lives turned on that word. He says it still, to you, today. You do not have to be worthy first. You only have to come, and keep coming, and let him do the rest.

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Jesus Christ is Lord.

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