Following Jesus with Love and Grace
Have you ever paused to reflect on what it really means to follow Jesus? Not just to attend church or read Scripture, but to wholeheartedly commit to living the way Jesus calls us to live? It’s a question that stirs something deep in all of us. And here’s the thing: Jesus never called us to an easy life, but He did invite us into a better one—one marked by love, grace, and inclusion.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began His teaching with a moment that still echoes in our hearts today. Matthew 5:1 says, “When Jesus saw His ministry drawing huge crowds, He climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to Him, the committed, climbed with Him.” Did you catch that? It wasn’t the crowds that followed Him up the mountain—it was the committed.
So, what does it look like to be one of the committed?
Loving Like Jesus
First, it’s about love. And not just the easy kind of love we reserve for people who think like us, agree with us, or make our lives comfortable. Jesus calls us to love everyone, including those who challenge us, hurt us, or even oppose us. Remember His words: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). That’s radical love. That’s transformative love.
Loving like Jesus means stepping into the messiness of relationships, extending grace when it’s hard, and believing that every person—yes, every person—is made in the image of God. It’s looking at the world through the eyes of Christ and seeing potential where others see problems.
Living in Grace
Grace is the heartbeat of the gospel. It’s the unearned, undeserved, and unstoppable love of God poured out for us through Jesus. And when we commit to following Him, grace becomes the foundation of our lives—not just grace we receive, but grace we extend to others.
Grace is what helps us respond to conflict with compassion instead of retaliation. It’s what allows us to forgive even when it feels impossible. And it’s what reminds us that we, too, are imperfect people in need of a perfect Savior. When we live in grace, we become living testimonies of God’s inclusive love.
Embracing God’s Inclusive Love
The beauty of Jesus’ ministry is that He included everyone. Tax collectors, fishermen, women, children, outsiders—Jesus welcomed them all. And His love is just as wide and deep today. There’s no “us” and “them” in the kingdom of God. There’s only us, standing together as beloved children of a good Father.
This kind of inclusive love changes everything. It breaks down barriers, heals wounds, and draws people closer to God. When we commit to loving inclusively, we reflect the heart of Jesus to a world desperate for hope.
Your Next Step
So, where do you go from here? If you’re curious about Jesus, take a step toward Him. Open the Bible, ask questions, and listen for His voice. If you’re serious about following Him, lean into His teachings and commit to a life of love, grace, and inclusion.
Let’s climb the mountain together and live as the committed—those who love like Jesus, extend His grace, and proclaim His inclusive love to all people. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
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