“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”  Matthew 16:24
 
We are Jesus’ disciples. From “Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words”: 
A disciple is a learner, of all who manifest that they are His (Jesus’) disciples by abiding in His Word.  
A disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher.
 
In another reference a disciple is defined as a student, learner, or pupil.  In the Bible the word is used most often to refer to the followers of Jesus.  Let’s see what Scripture tells us of discipleship and following.
 
Discipleship is defined as ‘adherence to a teacher’s faith’.  Scripture gives us some conditions regarding discipleship--
There is self-denial and cross bearing as we see in our opening verse 
(I repeat):
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”  Matthew 16:24
And,
Jesus tells us in Luke:14: 25-33, where He is teaching on discipleship,
“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
 
There is the leaving all:
“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”  Jesus speaking in Luke 15:33
 
There is being steadfast:
Jesus tells Jewish Believers in John 8:31,
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”
 
There is being fruitful:
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”  Jesus speaking in John 15:8
 
There is a cost to following our Lord Jesus Christ, Savior!  It is a new life! To follow Jesus is to grow and be established so that we may be complete in Him! And how great are the blessings promised, here are a very few--
We are promised spiritual light:
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world .  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  John 8:12
 
There is the promise of the guidance of the still small voice:
Jesus tells us in John 8,
“And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.”  Vs.4
And,
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”  Vs. 27
 
We have the heavenly honor of being with Him:
“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.  If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”  John 12:26
 
Jesus has given us a divine example even in suffering:
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”  1 Peter 2:21
 
I close with Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-14 for each one of us! It is a prayer I bring before the Lord regularly.  I have several names written beside it in my Bible.  Read, take it to heart, and be blessed!
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and 
understanding.  Vs. 9 
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,  Vs. 10
being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully Vs. 11
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Vs. 12
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness an brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, Vs. 13
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Vs. 14  
 
Thank you most precious Lord!  We trust in, rely on and cling to You, for only in You is life!  And that life is eternal!  Amen