Two simple words can alter the course of your life forever: Follow Me.
That’s the invitation — and the command — that Jesus gave to four fishermen standing by the Sea of Galilee. It’s the same call He gives to us today.
We often talk about believing in Jesus, but following Him? That’s different. Belief can stay in your head. Following requires your heart, your feet, and your future. It’s the moment when faith stops being a concept and starts being a calling.
Yet, let’s be honest — we live in a world that loves the idea of following Jesus, but not the reality of discipleship. We want Christ without the cross…comfort without surrender…and a Savior who fits into our plans instead of a Lord who defines them.
The words “Follow Me” demand that we see who Jesus truly is and respond with complete trust and obedience.
Discipleship isn’t about adding Jesus to your life. It’s about giving Him your entire life.
Before we can understand what it means to follow, we must grasp who the Me is that we’re following. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a sweeping portrait of Jesus in its opening chapters. Each chapter adds a new layer to His identity and mission.
Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy — a list most of us are tempted to skip. Yet, that list shouts a powerful truth: Jesus is the promised Savior. He is the Son of David, the rightful King of Israel, and the Son of Abraham, the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises.
The angel told Joseph, “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).
His very name means the Lord saves.
In a world trying to save itself through achievement, moralism, or identity, Jesus enters as the only One who actually can. That’s where discipleship begins — by recognizing that we need saving, and that Jesus alone can do it.
In Matthew 2, wise men from the East come to worship a child. They bring gifts fit for a king. From the start, Jesus is revealed not as a local teacher but as the Sovereign over nations.
But He’s not only King — He’s also Shepherd. Matthew quotes Micah 5:2 to show that Jesus is the Ruler who will shepherd God’s people. He leads not by domination but by compassion.
True discipleship begins when we bow to Jesus as both King and Shepherd — submitting to His authority and trusting His care. You can’t follow Him without first kneeling before Him.
When John the Baptist appears preaching repentance, he prepares the way for a coming King who will bring both salvation and judgment. Jesus arrives, and as He is baptized, the heavens open. The Spirit descends, and the Father declares, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17).
In that moment, we see the perfect union of love and righteousness. Jesus is the sinless Son of God, filled with the Spirit and approved by the Father.
Discipleship means aligning our lives under His rule and righteousness. It’s not about earning God’s approval, but living out of the Father’s pleasure already given to us through His Son.
Immediately after His baptism, Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness. Where Adam failed in the garden, and Israel failed in the desert, Jesus stands firm. He resists every lie of the enemy by standing on the Word of God.
Then Matthew tells us that Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy:
“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light.” (Matthew 4:16)
That light has dawned — and it shines on all who walk in darkness.
Jesus is the Light of the World, the new and faithful Son who conquers sin and overcomes Satan.
Before we ever respond to His call, we must behold who He is — the Savior, King, Judge, and Light who has come to rescue us.
Discipleship begins not with what we do, but with who we see.
After Matthew shows us the majesty of the Messiah, he takes us to a shoreline. Here, the King calls His first followers — and it all begins with two words: “Follow Me.”
Let’s unpack what that call teaches us about true discipleship.
Jesus doesn’t say, “Follow My religion.” He doesn’t even say, “Follow My teachings.” He says, “Follow Me.”
That’s staggering authority.
This isn’t a self-help seminar. It’s the command of the King. When Jesus calls, He calls with divine authority — the same voice that spoke the universe into being now calls you by name.
His call is also deeply personal. He preaches to crowds, but He calls individuals. Peter, Andrew, James, and John each heard Him and left everything to follow.
Discipleship, then, is not just attending church or agreeing with doctrine. It’s hearing the voice of Jesus and saying, “Yes, Lord.”
Key truth: The Lordship of Christ means there is no part of life where Jesus does not say, “Mine.”
Matthew tells us, “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:20).
There’s no delay, no “Let me think about it.” They left their livelihood, their comfort, and their security.
Why? Because they saw something — Someone — worth losing everything for.
Following Jesus doesn’t mean we all quit our jobs, but it does mean surrendering our right to rule our lives. It’s about trading self-sufficiency for complete trust.
True discipleship always involves movement — a turning from something old toward Someone new.
Faith that never moves your feet isn’t faith; it’s admiration.
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
Jesus doesn’t just invite; He transforms. He takes fishermen and turns them into disciple-makers.
The promise “I will make you” reminds us that transformation is His work, not ours. We don’t change ourselves through effort. Jesus changes us through His presence.
That’s the heart of discipleship — Jesus makes us into what He calls us to be.
He takes your ordinary life and gives it eternal purpose.
As Paul writes, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” (Philippians 1:6).
When you say “yes” to following Jesus, you’re surrendering to His creative, sanctifying work in your life.
The disciples didn’t have all the answers. They didn’t know where following Jesus would lead. But they trusted the One who called them.
Faith begins when we stop demanding details and start walking in obedience. We may not see the whole map, but we know the Guide.
Abraham followed God’s call without knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). The disciples did the same — and so must we.
Discipleship is a step-by-step trust in the sovereign goodness of Christ.
You may not know tomorrow’s path, but you can trust today’s Savior.
The call to “Follow Me” comes with a purpose: “I will make you fishers of men.”
From the start, following Jesus was never about personal spirituality alone. It was about mission. Every follower is a fisher. Every disciple is a disciple-maker.
Discipleship is not complete until it reproduces. Jesus calls us to join His mission of seeking and saving the lost.
That’s why Matthew ends his Gospel the same way it began — with a call:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
To follow Jesus is to join His rescue mission.
If you’re not fishing for people and making disciples, you’re not fully following Jesus.
James and John left their father and their nets — their identity, their inheritance, and their security. That’s costly. But they gained Christ.
Following Jesus requires surrender. You may lose your comfort, control, or reputation — but you gain eternal joy.
Jesus told a parable that captures this perfectly:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
The man doesn’t sell everything out of guilt — he does it with joy because what he’s found is better.
Discipleship costs everything, but it’s worth infinitely more than it costs.
Matthew 4 ends with a summary of Jesus’ ministry:
“He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and affliction.” (Matthew 4:23)
Jesus models a balanced pattern for discipleship: Word and deed, truth and compassion.
This is the rhythm of discipleship:
We worship the King, learn His truth, and embody His love.
Discipleship that stops at learning is incomplete.
Discipleship that stops at service misses the gospel.
We follow Jesus fully when our hearts, heads, and hands are all engaged in His mission.
Following Jesus in the 21st century looks different from the shores of Galilee, but the call is the same. It’s still two words: “Follow Me.”
So how do we live that out now?
Following Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily posture of surrender. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
Each day begins with a decision: Who’s leading my life — me or Jesus?
You can’t follow someone you’re not near. Spend time in His Word. Pray throughout your day. Listen for His voice.
Discipleship grows through relationship, not routine. The closer you stay to Jesus, the more you’ll reflect His character.
Discipleship always moves outward. Look for opportunities to share Christ with others — a coworker, a neighbor, or even your kids.
Ask, “Who can I invite to follow Jesus with me?”
You don’t have to force fruitfulness. Jesus says, “I will make you fishers of men.” He’s responsible for the transformation — we’re responsible for the obedience.
Your role is to follow; His role is to make.
The call of Jesus is simple, but it’s not easy. He still says, “Follow Me.”
Those two words changed the lives of four fishermen. They can change yours, too.
When you truly see who the Me is — the Savior, the King, the Light of the World — following Him is the only thing that makes sense.
The question isn’t whether you believe in Jesus. The question is: Are you following Him?
The cost is high — but the joy is higher. Because the One who calls you also walks with you. He is worthy of your trust, your obedience, and your life.
“Follow Me,” He says.
Two simple words that change everything.