Today, following someone is easy.
You follow a YouTuber because their videos are interesting.
You follow someone on Instagram or Facebook because you want to see what they post.
And if their content changes—or stops feeling useful—you can unfollow without much thought.
Following, in our culture, usually means:
I’ll pay attention to you—as long as it works for me.
But when Jesus invites people to follow him, he means something fundamentally different from following someone online. As described in the Gospel of Matthew 4:19, when Jesus called his first disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, with the simple yet profound invitation, 'Follow me,' it was a call to a transformative journey. This invitation implied dedicating one's life to a new path, reshaping beliefs, priorities, and actions in alignment with his teachings.
Following on Our Terms
When we follow someone online, we stay in control.
We decide:
- when to engage,
- how closely to listen,
- and when to walk away.
Even when we deeply admire someone, following them still happens on our terms.
We take what we like, scroll past what we don’t, and move on when it becomes uncomfortable.
That’s not a criticism—it’s just how modern life works.
But Jesus never framed following him that way.
Jesus Doesn’t Ask for Attention — He Asks for Direction
When Jesus said, “Follow me,” he wasn’t asking people to watch from a distance. He was inviting them into a new way of living that would reshape how they saw the world, treated others, and understood themselves. Try integrating this into your daily life by starting with one small act of compassion, such as helping a neighbor or showing kindness to a stranger. This simple practice can begin to transform perspectives and actions in alignment with his teachings.
Following Jesus meant:
- rethinking who matters,
- redefining what power looks like,
- and choosing love even when it comes at a cost.
It wasn’t about agreeing with every idea in advance.
It was about stepping into a life shaped by compassion, courage, and a sense of responsibility for one another.
When Following Becomes Costly
This distinct approach affects real-life decisions, especially when following Jesus leads into uncomfortable or risky places.
A recent example comes from pastors and faith leaders across the United States who spoke out against a proposed federal policy
that would allow immigration enforcement actions in churches and other sacred spaces. These leaders publicly opposed the policy,
not because it was popular or safe, but because they believed it violated something essential about human dignity and sacred hospitality.
According to reporting by
United Methodist News
,
These pastors stood together across communities and traditions to say that faith is not just private belief—it shapes how we protect the vulnerable
and how we respond when fear is used as a tool of power.
For them, following Jesus meant showing up, speaking out, and accepting backlash—because silence would contradict the love they preach.
That kind of following doesn’t come with an “unfollow” button.
How Can a Church Support One Another When Following Jesus Feels Risky?
At Berwyn United Methodist Church, we believe that following Jesus was never meant to be a solo journey. We warmly invite you to join us at our Sunday service, held at 10 AM each week, where you can connect with others who are on the same journey. And consider participating in our community events, such as our monthly potluck dinner, where everyone is welcome to enjoy food and fellowship. Jesus gathered people into community not for uniformity of thought, but so they could support each other when the path became difficult.
When faith leads us into challenges or risky acts of public love, the church offers grounding, encouragement, and shared courage.
We support one another by:
-
Making room for honest conversation.
Questions, doubts, and disagreements are not signs of weak faith—they are part of growth.
We strive to be a community where people can speak honestly and be met with curiosity rather than judgment.
-
Showing up for one another.
When someone feels called to act in love or speak out for justice, they shouldn’t have to do it alone.
We stand with one another—through encouragement, presence, and prayer.
-
Listening together before acting.
We take time to reflect, pray, and discern as a community, trusting that faithful action is shaped by listening to God and to one another.
-
Extending grace as we grow.
Not everyone is in the same place, and that’s okay.
Supporting one another means honoring different journeys while remaining rooted in love.
In times of discomfort, we look to our community—grounded in grace, guided by compassion, and committed to loving our neighbors in real and tangible ways.
Following Isn’t Perfection — It’s Direction
One of the hardest misunderstandings about following Jesus is the idea that it requires certainty or moral perfection. It doesn’t demand flawlessness but rather honesty in acknowledging our shortcomings and persistence in our spiritual journey.
Following Jesus is not about having everything figured out. It’s about allowing love to keep pulling you forward—toward greater honesty,
deeper mercy, and wider care for others.
People who follow Jesus will disagree, stumble, and change over time. That’s not failure. That’s growth.
What matters is the direction of the heart:
- toward justice rather than indifference,
- toward grace rather than fear,
- toward community rather than isolation.
A Different Kind of Following
So when we talk about following Jesus, we’re not talking about passively consuming religious content, agreeing with every doctrine, or selectively curating a spiritual identity the way one might online. We are talking about something else entirely—a way of life.
We’re talking about a way of life.
A life where love has consequences.
Where faith shows up in public, not just in private.
Where following means being willing to be changed.
Following Jesus is more demanding than simply paying attention online. Its deeper meaning—true transformation—sets the direction for every part of life: public, private, and relational.
If these ideas raise questions, spark curiosity, or even create some discomfort, you’re not alone.
Faith grows through conversation, reflection, and shared listening.
The church is not a gathering of people who have everything figured out.
It is a place where people are allowed to try, to grow, to fail, and to be helped back up so they can try again.
Whether you are exploring, questioning, or simply wondering what following Jesus might look like in your own life, know that you don’t have to walk the path alone. You are always welcome to engage, ask, and reflect alongside others at your own pace. Additionally, we invite you to reach out personally by contacting a pastor or joining one of our conversation groups. These personal connections can provide reassurance and community for those who feel hesitant or alone. Together, we can discover the courage, love, and hope that come from truly following and supporting one another as we live out this journey in a changing world.