Following The Ladder

Following The Ladder

Bible: Luke 9:21-24

Reading

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me (V.23).

Over our house three fighter jets screamed through the sky—flying in formation so close together they looked like they were one plane. “Wow,” I said as I watched them practising for a local air show.

Every time those jets flew over I had the same question: how can they fly so close together and not lose control? One obvious reason, I learned, is humility. Trusting that the lead pilot is travelling at exactly the correct speed and direction, the wing pilots give up any right to switch directions or question their leader’s path. Instead, they get in formation and closely follow. The result? A more powerful team.

It’s no different for followers of Jesus. Jesus says: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (LUKE 9:23).

His path was one of self-denial and suffering, which can be hard to follow. But as His people, we too are invited to put aside selfishness and pick up Jesus’ ways—serving others first instead of ourselves, for example—as we closely follow Him.

It’s quite a sight, this humbling close walk with God. Following His lead, and staying so close, we can seem to others to be one with Jesus—as we are. Then the world doesn’t see us, they see Him. There’s a simple word for what that looks like: wow!

OUR LIVES ARE WINDOWS THROUGH WHICH OTHERS CAN SEE JESUS.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries