The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 22 March 2026 – Following Jesus
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TOPIC: Following Jesus
READ: John 12:20-32
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
THE MESSAGE:
Right from the time Jesus Christ began to recruit the disciples that worked with Him during His earthly ministry, following Him has always come with great sacrifice. Simon Peter forsook his vocation. The two sons of Zebedee not only left their trade, their father also did. If forsaking their vocations and family were the only things to sacrifice, then it may not have been seen as weighty as it is. They also lost their lives in the course of following Christ.
Jesus made it clear that no one can follow Him effectively without first hating his own life.
This means that such one should focus less on him/herself and devote time to doing the will of God, no matter the cost. If anyone claims to follow Christ without hating his/her life, such a one will lose it. It’s only when one has surrendered one’s self-will and has taken up doing God’s will, will such a one be able to bear fruit. Self signifies a lifestyle that opposes God’s principles. We must intentionally surrender the ‘self lifestyle to the cross and be ‘dead’ to them if we must bear fruit in Christ and for Christ.
PRAYER: Father, grant me the grace to die to self that I may follow You effectively. Amen.
