5-Day Devotional: Answering the Call to Follow Jesus
Day 1: The Invitation to Come and See
**Reading:** John 1:35-39
**Devotional:**
When Jesus first called His disciples, He didn't demand immediate commitment or perfect understanding. He simply said, "Come and see." This gentle invitation reminds us that following Jesus begins with curiosity and willingness, not perfection. Like those first disciples, we're invited to spend time with Jesus, to observe His ways, and to discover who He truly is. Today, consider where Jesus might be inviting you to "come and see" something new about Him. Perhaps it's in your prayer time, in Scripture, or in serving others. Don't overthink it—just accept His invitation to draw near. The relationship deepens naturally when we simply show up and spend time in His presence.
Day 2: Bringing Others to Jesus
**Reading:** John 1:40-42
**Devotional:**
Andrew's first response after meeting Jesus was to find his brother Peter and say, "We have found the Messiah." He didn't wait until he had all the answers or completed a discipleship course. He simply shared what he had experienced. Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? Perhaps you've been waiting for the "right moment" or feeling inadequate to share your faith. Remember, you're not called to be an expert theologian—you're called to be a witness. Like Andrew, you can simply say, "Come and meet this person who has changed my life." Your authentic testimony, combined with an invitation, may be exactly what someone needs to encounter Jesus for themselves.
Day 3: Overcoming Skepticism
**Reading:** John 1:43-51
**Devotional:**
Nathanael's skepticism—"Can anything good come from Nazareth?"—reveals how easily we can let prejudice, past disappointments, or cynicism block us from encountering Jesus. Perhaps you've been hurt by church, disillusioned by religious hypocrisy, or simply grown weary of spiritual seeking. Jesus meets us in our doubt. He doesn't condemn Nathanael's skepticism; instead, He reveals supernatural knowledge that breaks through the barriers. What skepticism or jadedness might be keeping you from a deeper encounter with Jesus? Today, bring your honest doubts to Him. He's big enough to handle your questions and tender enough to meet you right where you are, transforming cynicism into wonder.
Day 4: Returning to Your First Love
**Reading:** Revelation 2:1-5
**Devotional:**
Life grows complicated. We add responsibilities, commitments, and even good things that gradually crowd out our passion for Jesus. The church at Ephesus was doing many things right, but they had "forsaken the love they had at first." This isn't about working harder or adding more religious activities—it's about returning to simplicity. Remember when knowing Jesus was enough? When His presence was the highlight of your day? Today, drop the armful of things you're carrying and reconfigure your life around Him. What needs to be removed so you can follow Jesus more closely? Repentance isn't just turning from sin; it's turning back toward the One who first called you to follow.
Day 5: The Daily Call to Follow
**Reading:** Proverbs 4:18; Luke 9:23
**Devotional:**
Following Jesus isn't a one-time decision—it's a daily choice. The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, growing brighter until full day. Jesus said we must take up our cross daily and follow Him. This means checking in with the compass of your life every morning: "Jesus, am I still following You? What about this area of my life? And this one?" As life grows more complex, this simple question becomes even more essential. You cannot navigate by a compass you checked once years ago. Today, pause and ask: Is "Follow Me" still at the center of my heart? Let everything else in your life be arranged around this one central calling. When you keep Jesus at the center, everything else finds its proper place.
Day 1: The Invitation to Come and See
**Reading:** John 1:35-39
**Devotional:**
When Jesus first called His disciples, He didn't demand immediate commitment or perfect understanding. He simply said, "Come and see." This gentle invitation reminds us that following Jesus begins with curiosity and willingness, not perfection. Like those first disciples, we're invited to spend time with Jesus, to observe His ways, and to discover who He truly is. Today, consider where Jesus might be inviting you to "come and see" something new about Him. Perhaps it's in your prayer time, in Scripture, or in serving others. Don't overthink it—just accept His invitation to draw near. The relationship deepens naturally when we simply show up and spend time in His presence.
Day 2: Bringing Others to Jesus
**Reading:** John 1:40-42
**Devotional:**
Andrew's first response after meeting Jesus was to find his brother Peter and say, "We have found the Messiah." He didn't wait until he had all the answers or completed a discipleship course. He simply shared what he had experienced. Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? Perhaps you've been waiting for the "right moment" or feeling inadequate to share your faith. Remember, you're not called to be an expert theologian—you're called to be a witness. Like Andrew, you can simply say, "Come and meet this person who has changed my life." Your authentic testimony, combined with an invitation, may be exactly what someone needs to encounter Jesus for themselves.
Day 3: Overcoming Skepticism
**Reading:** John 1:43-51
**Devotional:**
Nathanael's skepticism—"Can anything good come from Nazareth?"—reveals how easily we can let prejudice, past disappointments, or cynicism block us from encountering Jesus. Perhaps you've been hurt by church, disillusioned by religious hypocrisy, or simply grown weary of spiritual seeking. Jesus meets us in our doubt. He doesn't condemn Nathanael's skepticism; instead, He reveals supernatural knowledge that breaks through the barriers. What skepticism or jadedness might be keeping you from a deeper encounter with Jesus? Today, bring your honest doubts to Him. He's big enough to handle your questions and tender enough to meet you right where you are, transforming cynicism into wonder.
Day 4: Returning to Your First Love
**Reading:** Revelation 2:1-5
**Devotional:**
Life grows complicated. We add responsibilities, commitments, and even good things that gradually crowd out our passion for Jesus. The church at Ephesus was doing many things right, but they had "forsaken the love they had at first." This isn't about working harder or adding more religious activities—it's about returning to simplicity. Remember when knowing Jesus was enough? When His presence was the highlight of your day? Today, drop the armful of things you're carrying and reconfigure your life around Him. What needs to be removed so you can follow Jesus more closely? Repentance isn't just turning from sin; it's turning back toward the One who first called you to follow.
Day 5: The Daily Call to Follow
**Reading:** Proverbs 4:18; Luke 9:23
**Devotional:**
Following Jesus isn't a one-time decision—it's a daily choice. The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, growing brighter until full day. Jesus said we must take up our cross daily and follow Him. This means checking in with the compass of your life every morning: "Jesus, am I still following You? What about this area of my life? And this one?" As life grows more complex, this simple question becomes even more essential. You cannot navigate by a compass you checked once years ago. Today, pause and ask: Is "Follow Me" still at the center of my heart? Let everything else in your life be arranged around this one central calling. When you keep Jesus at the center, everything else finds its proper place.