--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To follow Jesus means putting him first…" description: "\"To follow Jesus means putting him first, and stripping ourselves of all the things that oppress our hearts.\" — Pope Francis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a55/pope-francis-85_firsts_to-follow-jesus-means-putting-him-first_2239189.png" --- # To follow Jesus means putting him first, and stripping… ![“To follow Jesus means putting him first, and stripping ourselves of all the things that oppress our hearts.” quote by Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a55/pope-francis-85_firsts_to-follow-jesus-means-putting-him-first_2239189.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a55/pope-francis-85_firsts_to-follow-jesus-means-putting-him-first_2239189.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a55/pope-francis-85_firsts_to-follow-jesus-means-putting-him-first_2239189.png) > “To follow Jesus means putting him first, and stripping ourselves of all the things that oppress our hearts.” [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Following Jesus requires prioritizing him and rejecting oppressive influences. **In simple terms:** Put Jesus first, reject oppression. Key Takeaway Live with humility and freedom. Themes faith humility freedom oppression Mood solemn inspirational Type religious ethical When to use this quote - daily prayer - social justice - personal growth Key Concepts theology spiritual discipline Questions to Reflect On - What oppresses your heart? - How can you practice humility? A Different Perspective Oppression can be subtle and internal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Follow Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/follow-jesus/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) ## Related quotes > [To follow Jesus means to share his merciful love for every human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/to-follow-jesus-means-to-share-his-merciful-love-for-every-human-being/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [To follow Jesus implies that we enter into a way of life that is given character and shape and direction by the one who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-follow-jesus-implies-that-we-enter-into-a-way-of-life-that-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Those who aren't following Jesus aren't his followers. Its that simple. Followers follow, and those who don't follow aren't followers. 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Millet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-millet/) ## More by Pope Francis > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [God’s faithfulness is stronger than our unfaithfulness and our infidelities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-s-faithfulness-is-stronger-than-our-unfaithfulness-and-our/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“Most people nowadays would not consider love as related in any way to truth. 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Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [When I first started, my message was about joy, but I didn't really have the vocabulary and life experience to fully deliver it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/when-i-first-started-my-message-was-about-joy-but-i-didn-t-really/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. 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Peace is the nurse of love. 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