Making Much of Jesus: A Life Reoriented by Grace
We live in a world that constantly pulls at our attention. Every day, something else competes for our loyalty—our jobs, our goals, our screens, even good things like family and friendships. But over all that noise, there’s a clear, compelling call from Scripture: make much of Jesus.
This isn’t a religious cliché. It’s not about polishing up your Sunday routine. It’s a complete shift in how we live, think, spend, love, lead, and serve. It’s about reorienting our entire lives around one person: Jesus.
The mission hasn’t changed. Jesus told His followers, “Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). Our calling is to become disciples who help others become disciples. Not just church attenders. Not just good people. Disciples—people learning to live and love like Jesus.
This isn’t about metrics or targets. It’s about transformation. It’s about seeing every home and every community marked by the power of the Gospel. And it starts with this: making Jesus the center of everything.
Jesus Is Not an Accessory
Colossians 1:15–20 describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God. Everything was created by Him, through Him, and for Him. He holds it all together. He’s not just first in line—He’s the reason the line exists.
So we don’t negotiate with Jesus about what He gets access to. He doesn’t want a slice of our schedule. He wants the whole thing. Not to control us, but to give us the life we were created for. Life that’s abundant and whole.
C.S. Lewis described it like this: when we invite Jesus into our lives, we think He’s coming to do a little home improvement. But then He starts tearing out walls, digging deep, building something altogether new. He’s not trying to make us nicer. He’s making us new.
A Shift in Perspective
When we truly make much of Jesus, our priorities change. We start seeing things through the lens of eternity. Lewis once wrote, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither.” Fixing our eyes on Jesus grounds us. It gives us clarity and courage.
This clarity is what emboldened the early church in Acts 4. When threatened, they didn’t retreat. They prayed for boldness—not just strength to survive, but courage to keep going. And God answered. The ground shook, they were filled with the Spirit, and they kept proclaiming the Gospel.
That same power is still available to us. We don’t have to live timid, compartmentalized lives. Boldness doesn’t mean being brash or combative. It means being faithful when it’s costly. Speaking truth when it’s risky. Loving when it’s inconvenient.
Ownership vs. Stewardship
When we make much of Jesus, we start holding things differently. Our time, our resources, our influence—they’re no longer ours to guard. They’re God’s to guide. In Acts 4:32, the believers shared everything. Not because they were forced to, but because they knew who really owned it all.
That’s tough for us. We’re trained to accumulate, protect, and build our own kingdoms. But Jesus was clear: we can’t serve God and money. The way we handle our possessions reveals who we’re really following.
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about freedom. When we recognize that we’re stewards, not owners, we’re free to live generously. We’re no longer slaves to stuff. We’re participants in God’s mission.
Jesus Is the Story
At the end of the day, making much of Jesus is not about what He does for us. It’s about who He is. He’s not just part of the story. He’s the whole story. The beginning and the end.
Every other religion gives a list of things to do to get to God. But Jesus said, “I am the way.” He didn’t just come to show us the path. He is the path. And when that truth sinks in, it changes everything.
You stop asking, “How much does Jesus want from me?” and start saying, “There’s nothing He can’t ask of me.” Faith becomes more than belief. It becomes joy-filled obedience. Your life becomes a canvas for God’s grace.
Church no longer feels like a box to check. Giving doesn’t feel like a burden. Serving becomes an honor. Everything starts to center around Him.
The Invitation
The world is full of distractions, demands, and shallow pursuits. But Jesus invites us to something deeper. Something eternal. Something worth giving our lives to.
So where do you start?
You start by saying yes. Yes to letting Jesus be the center. Yes to trusting Him with your plans, your possessions, your relationships, your pain. Yes to becoming a disciple who helps make disciples.
The invitation is open. The mission is clear. The time is now.
Let’s make much of Jesus—in our homes, our church, our neighborhoods, and wherever He leads.