Minimalist Jesus Follower Spiritual Essentials and Requirements
Following Jesus involves a voluntary commitment to a transformed way of life, characterized by humility, detachment from worldly comforts, and a focus on spiritual growth. Jesus himself emphasized the voluntary nature of discipleship, stating, "If a man be willing to come after me" [2]. This willingness is presented as the foundational condition for all other requirements [2].
A core aspect of following Jesus is embracing humility. Jesus invites his followers to "take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" [3]. This "yoke of subjection to Jesus" leads to "rest unto your souls" [3]. Humility involves having a humble spirit, recognizing one's own sinfulness, and relying on God's grace rather than personal righteousness [4]. Such individuals are described as having "mean thoughts of themselves and their own righteousness" and submitting to the righteousness of Christ [4]. This contrasts with those who are proud or self-sufficient.
Discipleship also entails a readiness to forgo material comforts and social status. Jesus warned that following him might mean lacking a permanent home, stating, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" [1]. This suggests that discipleship involves more than intellectual understanding; it requires a willingness to sacrifice normal comforts [1]. The early disciples were instructed to travel light, relying on hospitality rather than carrying extensive provisions like food, money, or extra clothing [10]. This instruction highlights a detachment from material possessions and a reliance on God's provision [10]. Indeed, many of Jesus's followers were of low social standing [5].
While not advocating for extreme asceticism, Christian teaching encourages a balanced use of worldly goods. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, discusses how to use the present life and its comforts, warning against both excessive austerity and "carnal intemperance" [8]. The Lutheran tradition, as seen in Luther's Small Catechism, acknowledges that God provides for bodily needs such as food, drink, clothing, and shelter, as well as good relationships and governance [6]. However, the emphasis remains on prioritizing spiritual matters.
The New Testament also highlights the importance of spiritual maturity. The author of Hebrews admonishes believers who, despite having been followers for a long time, still require "milk" rather than "solid food," indicating a lack of spiritual vitality and an inability to teach others [9]. This imagery distinguishes between basic and advanced understanding of the Christian faith, and between immature and mature students [9]. Ultimately, following Jesus involves choosing "the good part," a phrase that signifies prioritizing eternal matters over the transient concerns of this life [7]. This choice is not merely about distinguishing good from bad, but about recognizing the comparative insignificance of elaborate preparations for the present life when weighed against the eternal [7].
Sources
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:20: 8:20 Following Jesus is not easy; it involves more than intellectual mastery. Following Jesus entails being willing to forgo life’s normal comforts.”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 8:34: Whosoever will come after me - It seems that Christ formed, on the proselytism of the Jews, the principal qualities which he required in the proselytes of his covenant. The first condition of proselytism among the Jews was, that he that came to embrace their religion should come voluntarily, and that neither force nor influence should be employed in this business. This is also the first condition required by Jesus Christ, and which he considers as the foundation of all the rest: - If a man be willing to come after me. The second condition required in the Jewish prosel”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you--the yoke of subjection to Jesus. and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls--As Christ's willingness to empty Himself to the uttermost of His Father's requirements was the spring of ineffable repose to His own Spirit, so in the same track does He invite all to follow Him, with the assurance of the same experience.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 16:19: Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly,.... The followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, whose spirits are humbled under a sense of sin; have mean thoughts of themselves and their own righteousness, and submit to the righteousness of the Son of God, and wholly trust in him for salvation; and ascribe all they have and are to the free grace of God; humble themselves under the mighty hand of God; are resigned to his will, and patiently bear all afflictions without murmuring, and think better of others than themselves: these are not in so much danger of fa”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 10:42: 10:42 The least of my followers probably refers to the low social standing of most of Jesus’ followers (cp. 5:3; 18:1-5 and 6:5; 23:5-12).”
- Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran) “Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran, 1529), –Answer: 4cEverything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat,: –Answer: 4cEverything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 10:42: one thing, &c.--The idea of "Short work and little of it suffices for Me" is not so much the lower sense of these weighty words, as supposed in them, as the basis of something far loftier than any precept on economy. Underneath that idea is couched another, as to the littleness both of elaborate preparation for the present life and of that life itself, compared with another. chosen the good part--not in the general sense of Moses' choice (Heb 11:25), and Joshua's (Jos 24:15), and David's (Psa 119:30); that is, of good in opposition to bad; but, of two”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 65: 2031 CHAPTER 10. HOW TO USE THE PRESENT LIFE, AND THE COMFORTS OF IT. The divisions of this chapter are, I. The necessity and usefulness of this doctrine. Extremes to be avoided, if we would rightly use the present life and its comforts, sec. 1, 2. II. One of these extremes—viz. the intemperance of the flesh—to be carefully avoided. Four methods of doing so described in order, sec. 3-6. Sections . 1. Necessity of this doctrine. Use of the goods of the present life. Extremes to be avoided. 1. Excessive austerity. 2. Carnal intempera”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 5:12: 5:12 Their lack of spiritual vitality was especially shocking since they had been believers so long: They ought to have been spiritual leaders who were teaching others from their wealth of knowledge and Christian experience. • the basic things: The most rudimentary aspects of the Christian faith (see 6:1-3). • The imagery of milk and solid food (or meat) was used to distinguish basic from advanced education, and immature from mature students.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:8: 6:8-9 The instructions for the disciples’ mission were about what they should leave behind (food . . . bag . . . money . . . change of clothes). They were to travel light, counting on Jewish hospitality for food and lodging (cp. Luke 22:35-37).”