Why Should I Follow Jesus?
Scripture Covered
John 10, John 21, Matthew 16:24–26
Every person is on a journey, navigating the joys and difficulties of life. The path to the kingdom of heaven doesn't only lead us to mountaintops—it also leads through valleys.
Sometimes following Jesus takes us deeper into the valley than we ever expected. We experience loss, disappointment, unanswered prayers, broken relationships, and questions we never imagined we'd ask. In those moments, it's easy to wonder:
"God, can I trust You? Is following You really worth it?"
In this week's message, Joey Levesque reminded us that Jesus doesn't promise an easy road—but He does promise Himself. Even in life's hardest moments, Jesus continues to extend the same invitation: "Follow Me."
Jesus Is the Good Shepherd
In John 10, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd.
Unlike a hired hand who runs away when danger comes, the Good Shepherd willingly lays down His life for His sheep. Jesus isn't motivated by obligation or personal gain. He genuinely loves His people and cares for them.
That matters because every day we're surrounded by voices competing for our attention.
Our culture tells us to follow success.
Social media tells us to follow approval.
Material possessions promise satisfaction.
Relationships can become our identity.
Yet none of those things can truly protect us, save us, or satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts.
Jesus reminds us to be careful what we follow because only He is the Shepherd who knows us, loves us, and gave His life for us.
The Real Problem Is Sin
Jesus also speaks about wolves—things that pull us away from Him.
Ultimately, every wolf traces back to one problem: sin.
Sin has broken our relationship with God and brought pain into every part of creation. It has produced guilt, shame, brokenness, suffering, and ultimately death.
The reality is that none of us are perfect.
Whether our sins are obvious or hidden, every one of us has fallen short of God's standard. Some people ignore that truth. Others carry the weight of it every day.
But neither pretending nor despairing solves the problem.
Only Jesus does.
Jesus Meets Us in Our Failure
One of the most encouraging moments in Scripture comes after Jesus' resurrection in John 21.
Peter had denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion. He failed publicly and carried tremendous guilt.
When Jesus met Peter again, He didn't reject him.
He restored him.
Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, and then He ended the conversation with two simple words: "Follow Me."
Jesus didn't define Peter by his worst failure.
Instead, He called him forward into a new life. That's still what Jesus does today.
Following Jesus Through the Valley
Joey shared personally about walking through the loss of both his grandmother and, just months later, his father.
Those experiences brought difficult questions and deep grief.
Why didn't God answer every prayer?
Why does following Jesus still include suffering?
Those questions don't always have simple answers.
But through every painful moment, one truth remained constant:
Jesus never left.
The Good Shepherd continued walking beside him, hearing every prayer, collecting every tear, and faithfully carrying him through the valley.
Our circumstances may change, but the character of Jesus never does.
The Gospel Gives Us Hope
The greatest demonstration of God's love is the Gospel itself.
Because of sin, humanity was separated from God.
But Jesus stepped into our broken world, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again three days later, defeating both sin and death.
Through faith in Christ, that separation has been removed.
Jesus doesn't simply make life easier.
He makes eternal life possible.
This is why Christians can have hope even in the middle of grief.
Death is no longer the end of the story.
What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?
Following Jesus means more than believing facts about Him.
It means surrendering our lives to Him.
It means finding our identity in Christ instead of our failures.
It means turning away from sin and trusting Him enough to obey, even when it's difficult.
Freedom doesn't come from pretending sin doesn't exist.
Freedom comes from allowing the Good Shepherd to lead us into a new way of living.
As Paul writes in Galatians 5:1: "It was for freedom that Christ set us free."
Why Does Life Still Hurt?
One of the biggest questions believers ask is: "If I'm following Jesus, why does life still hurt?"
Jesus never promised His followers a life without pain.
In fact, He told His disciples they would experience trouble in this world.
But He also promised that He has overcome the world.
The presence of suffering doesn't mean God has abandoned us.
Instead, it reminds us how deeply we need Him.
Jesus understands grief because He entered into it Himself.
He isn't distant from our pain—He walks with us through it.
Following the Good Shepherd
Every one of us is following something.
The question isn't whether we're following.
The question is who we're following.
Success will disappoint.
Approval will fade.
Possessions won't last.
Only Jesus offers forgiveness, peace, purpose, and eternal life.
The invitation He gave Peter is the same invitation He gives each of us today: "Follow Me."
