Quick Answer: How can you follow Jesus better? We often hear we need to follow Jesus, but this is not the most accurate way to portray our relationship with Him. The term “follow” insinuates an external following of Jesus rather than an internal leading of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; Galatians 5:19-23). For the believer, relating to Jesus is about living from one’s spiritual union with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17) and being led internally by His Spirit (Galatians 5:18).
Diving Deeper: Jesus told His disciples to follow Him (Mark 8:34). So, it might seem right to talk about following Jesus today, but relationship with Jesus is different for a new covenant believer. When Jesus expressed those words in Mark 8, He was literally standing in front of people and inviting them to follow Him during His earthly ministry.
Today, we live on the other side of the cross under the new covenant of God’s grace. Under this new covenant, which Jesus inaugurated through His death (Luke 22:20), Christ leads us internally instead of externally (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Galatians 5:19-23). The Lord is one with us in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). So, while it’s true that we do still “follow” Jesus, we are led internally as we enjoy a vine-branches union with Him in every moment (John 15:4).
So, how can we “follow” Jesus better? We can recognize His presence within us and learn what to expect from His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We then choose to express Him in our attitudes and actions. But this miraculous fruit-bearing is not going to occur by us thinking we must follow a religious teacher from 2,000 years ago. No, we “follow” the risen Christ who indwells us and leads us from within!
Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. How does the idea of “following Jesus” not actually capture the whole picture?
2. How does our union with Christ play into this?
3. React to this statement: It’s not really about: What would Jesus do (WWJD)? It’s about: What is Jesus doing in and through me today?
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