Have you ever met someone who completely changed your perspective on life? Maybe it was a mentor, a friend, or someone you’d heard about but never encountered in person. When you finally met them face-to-face, everything shifted. This is exactly what happened when people first encountered Jesus Christ - and it’s what can happen to you today.

What Does It Mean to Really Know Jesus?

Many people know about Jesus. They’ve heard the stories, seen the movies, maybe even attended church. But there’s a profound difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing them personally. Jesus didn’t come to earth just to give us better theology or make us experts in Bible trivia. He came because He wanted a personal relationship with each of us.

The Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 35-51, shows us exactly what happens when people move from knowing about Jesus to actually meeting Him. In this passage, we see John the Baptist’s disciples encountering Jesus for the first time, and their lives are changed forever.

Why Should You Follow Jesus?

1. Follow Jesus Because He is Greater Than Anyone Else

John the Baptist was an incredible preacher - perhaps the greatest of his time. His disciples were completely satisfied following him. So why would they suddenly leave John to follow Jesus? Because when you encounter Jesus, you realize that no one else compares.

This doesn’t mean John was inadequate or that his followers were being disloyal. They were being discerning. Meeting Jesus calls us to shift our loyalties in life. The things that once seemed so important suddenly pale in comparison to knowing Him.

What Competes for Your Ultimate Loyalty?

There are many good things in life that can quietly compete with Jesus for our ultimate devotion. It might be your career, hobbies, relationships, or even good activities like serving others. The question isn’t whether these things are bad - many of them are wonderful. The question is whether Jesus has your ultimate loyalty.

No preacher, leader, or person deserves your complete allegiance. Only Jesus, who is “I AM,” is worthy of your ultimate devotion. Anyone else who demands such loyalty is either deceived or manipulative.

2. Follow Jesus to Know Him, Not Just Know About Him

In John 1:38-39, the disciples asked Jesus for information - they want facts about where He’s staying. But Jesus doesn’t respond with data; He responds with an invitation: “Come and you will see.”

Christianity is About Relationship, Not Information

Christianity isn’t a philosophy to study or a moral checklist to follow. It’s a relationship with the living God. You can memorize every verse in the Bible and still miss the point entirely. Even Satan knows Scripture better than any of us, but knowledge alone doesn’t save anyone.

Jesus wants you to walk with Him, not just learn about Him. The goal of reading the Bible isn’t to become smarter - it’s to know Jesus more intimately and allow that relationship to transform your life.

Are You Using the Bible Like an Outdated Cookbook?

Having a cookbook but never cooking the food is pointless. Similarly, having biblical knowledge but not following Jesus is meaningless. God gave us His Word not just to inform us, but to transform us through relationship with Him.

3. Follow Jesus to Experience True and Lasting Life Change

When you truly encounter Jesus, the change is so powerful it affects not only you but everyone around you. Notice the patter in John 1:40-42: Andrew meets Jesus and immediately brings his brother Peter. Philip meets Jesus and brings Nathanael. Found people find people.

Jesus Changes Your Identity

Throughout Scripture, we see God changing people’s names and identities: Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter, Saul became Paul. God doesn’t just call people - He remakes them.

When you follow Jesus, your identity is no longer rooted in your past but in His purpose for your future. He has the authority to change your identity in ways that you cannot change yourself. You become a new creation with a new name - His name written on your heart.

Jesus Changes Your Heart

When Nathanael met Jesus, he was skeptical: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” But after Jesus demonstrated His divine knowledge, Nathanel declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Jesus’ response is beautiful: “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” - John 1:50

Whatever you’ve seen Jesus do in your life that convinced you He is God, He’s just getting started. Your mind cannot comprehend the great and wonderful things He has planned for you.

Life Application

Following Jesus isn’t about becoming a better version of yourself - it’s about becoming completely new. This week, take these practical steps:

Examine Your Loyalties: Identify one good thing in your life that might be quietly competing with Jesus for your ultimate devotion. Deliberately restructure your priorities to put Christ first, For example, if you spend more time on social media than in God’s Word, commit to reading Scripture before checking your phone each day.

Move from Information to Relationship: Stop treating the Bible like an outdated cookbook you never use. Engage with God’s Word not just to gain knowledge, but to know Jesus more intimately.

Share Your Faith: Since found people find people, invite someone to meet Jesus this week. The natural overflow of encountering Christ is wanting others to experience the same life-changing relationship.

Questions for Reflection:

• What good things in my life might be competing with Jesus for my ultimate loyalty?
• Am I seeking to know Jesus personally, or am I content with just knowing about Him?
• Who in my life needs an invitation to meet Jesus, and how can I extend that invitation this week?
• How has meeting Jesus changed my identity, and how can I live more fully in that new identity?

The greatest decision you will ever make isn’t choosing a career, a spouse, or where to live. It’s choosing to follow Jesus Christ. He’s not asking you to complete a 12-step program or follow a complicated formula. He’s simply saying, “Come and follow Me.” When you do, your life will never be the same.