What Does It Really Mean to Follow Jesus? (And What It Looks Like on a Monday)
A lot of people in Bradley, Bourbonnais, and Kankakee would say they believe in Jesus.
However, there’s a big difference between believing Jesus existed… and actually following Him.
Following Jesus isn’t just a spiritual label or a Sunday routine. Instead, it’s a daily way of living that shows up in your words, your priorities, your reactions, and your relationships.
In this episode of The Tri-Star Podcast, Professor Brumitt and Professor Beane talk through what it really means to follow Jesus in practical, real-life terms—especially when life is busy, stressful, and imperfect.
If you want to listen first, you can find the episode here: Tri-Star Podcast hub.
Following Jesus Is an Invitation (Not Just Information)
One of the most powerful things Jesus ever did was invite ordinary people into an extraordinary life.
He didn’t say, “Admire me.” He didn’t say, “Study me from a distance.” He didn’t say, “Agree with me in theory.”
He said:
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
That word follow implies action.
It means movement.
It means leaving something behind.
In other words, following Jesus isn’t just about learning new ideas. It’s about stepping into a new direction.
The Disciples Weren’t Perfect… But They Did Turn
One of the most encouraging parts of the Gospels is that Jesus didn’t build His movement with perfect people.
The disciples had doubts.
They asked questions.
They misunderstood.
They failed.
Peter denied Jesus.
Thomas struggled to believe.
Yet they still followed.
That’s an important distinction for anyone who feels like they “aren’t good enough” to take faith seriously.
Following Jesus is not about getting everything right.
Instead, it’s about continuing to come back.
It’s about direction, not perfection.
What Does Following Jesus Actually Look Like?
Jesus gives a clear, practical framework in Luke 9:23:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
That’s not a vague idea. It’s a daily blueprint.
Let’s break it down.
1) Deny yourself
This doesn’t mean you hate yourself or ignore your needs.
It means you recognize a simple truth: not every desire should be followed.
Some desires are selfish.
Some are reactive.
Some are rooted in pride or fear.
So following Jesus often starts with a pause:
“Just because I feel it… does that mean I should do it?”
2) Take up your cross
This is where the word sacrifice shows up.
Following Jesus will sometimes be uncomfortable.
It can challenge your habits.
It can confront your pride.
It can ask you to forgive when you don’t want to.
It can call you to serve when it’s inconvenient.
Obedience is easy when life is easy.
However, obedience is proven when life is hard.
3) Follow daily
Not once.
Not occasionally.
Daily.
That means following Jesus isn’t a one-time decision you make and then “graduate.”
It’s a daily choice to keep walking in the right direction.
You’ll drift sometimes.
You’ll fall sometimes.
Even so, the goal is to keep returning to the path.
The Gap Between Knowing and Following
A lot of people know about Jesus.
Fewer people live like Jesus.
So what creates that gap?
In this conversation, one word keeps coming up:
Comfort.
Following Jesus has a cost.
It challenges your reactions.
It reshapes your priorities.
It pushes you to forgive.
It calls you to humility.
It asks you to serve.
And comfort doesn’t like any of that.
That’s why following becomes real in the everyday moments—when nobody’s watching, when you’re tired, when you’re stressed, and when you’d rather do what’s easiest.
If You Want to Follow Jesus, Model Jesus
We all model someone.
As kids, we model parents, older siblings, teachers, coaches, and mentors.
As adults, we still do it—sometimes intentionally, sometimes without realizing it.
So if you want to follow Jesus, one practical step is simple:
Look at how He lived.
In the episode, a few key qualities stand out.
Love (especially for overlooked people)
Jesus consistently loved people others ignored.
He cared for the outsider.
He noticed the unseen.
He didn’t love selectively.
Humility (leadership through serving)
Jesus didn’t chase status.
He served.
He washed the disciples’ feet (John 13), which is one of the clearest pictures of humble leadership you’ll ever find.
Truth (even when it was unpopular)
Jesus spoke honestly.
He didn’t bend truth to fit the crowd.
Discipline (especially through prayer)
Jesus regularly withdrew to pray.
That’s a challenging example.
If Jesus made time to pray, then we probably need it even more.
Forgiveness (even under pressure)
Jesus forgave.
Even while suffering.
That doesn’t mean you ignore wisdom or boundaries.
It means you refuse to let bitterness take over your heart.
“What Would Jesus Do?” vs “What Did Jesus Do?”
A lot of people have heard the phrase, “What would Jesus do?”
That can be helpful.
Still, Professor Brumitt offers a powerful upgrade:
“What did Jesus do?”
Because Jesus already faced temptation.
He already dealt with betrayal.
He already handled pressure.
He already lived through suffering.
So when you’re unsure how to respond, you can go back to Scripture and ask:
“What did Jesus do here?”
Then you can build your response from that foundation.
Practical Steps You Can Start Today
Following Jesus doesn’t require you to overhaul your entire life overnight.
In fact, that approach usually burns people out.
Instead, start with daily decisions.
Here are a few simple steps from the episode.
Spend time in Scripture (even if it’s short)
Consistency beats intensity.
A few minutes a day, done faithfully, can reshape your thinking over time.
Pray honestly (not perfectly)
Prayer isn’t a performance.
It’s a relationship.
So talk to God honestly.
Serve someone without expecting anything back
Serving becomes powerful when it’s not transactional.
Help because you want to help.
Love because you want to love.
Forgive quickly (with wisdom)
Forgiveness doesn’t mean you become a doormat.
Boundaries can be healthy.
Still, forgiveness keeps bitterness from building a home in your heart.
Choose obedience one day at a time
Obedience is a daily decision.
It’s “I’m going to do what God says is right… even when I don’t feel like it.”
Community Matters More Than You Think
One of the strongest themes in this conversation is that we weren’t built to do life alone.
Jesus didn’t do ministry solo.
He built a community.
The disciples walked together.
They ate together.
They learned together.
So if you want to follow Jesus, community isn’t optional.
That can look like:
- Being involved in a local church (not just attending)
- Building accountability with trusted people
- Seeking mentorship
- Investing in your family relationships
Following is more than showing up.
It’s involvement.
It’s action.
The Big Question: Is Jesus Just a Good Teacher… or Lord?
Many people respect Jesus as a good teacher.
They admire His example.
They like His moral guidance.
However, Christianity makes a much bigger claim:
Jesus is God incarnate.
That changes everything.
Because if Jesus is who He said He is, then following Him isn’t just “self-improvement.”
It’s surrender.
It’s trust.
It’s a new identity.
Final Encouragement: Direction Over Perfection
If you’re reading this and you feel like you’ve failed too much, drifted too far, or don’t know where to start—take a breath.
Following Jesus isn’t about having a perfect record.
It’s about making a turn.
It’s about coming back.
It’s about choosing direction.
And it starts with an invitation.
If you want to listen to the full conversation, you can find Episode 22 here: Tri-Star Podcast hub.
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend or family member in the Bradley area who could use a reset.
New episodes of The Tri-Star Podcast drop every Wednesday.
Scripture References:
- Read Luke 9:23 (Bible Gateway): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209%3A23&version=NIV
- Read Matthew 4:19 (Bible Gateway): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204%3A19&version=NIV
- Read Romans 6:23 (Bible Gateway): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%206%3A23&version=NIV