Following the Leader ∙∙∙

Following the Leader ∙∙∙

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. – Luke 9:23

Luke 9:23-25

23 And He was saying to them all, if anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.
25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

The Bond Between Student and Sensei

In martial arts, students develop a lasting connection with their sensei, a master teacher who guides them on a lifelong journey of growth. The sensei teaches not just technical skills but also imparts wisdom, discipline, and practical opportunities to apply what they learn. Over time, students move from relying on their sensei to trusting in their own abilities, becoming skilled practitioners who can pass on their knowledge.

This journey, however, is not without challenges. Setbacks and failures are inevitable, but resilience is a key lesson in martial arts, captured by the phrase, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” This philosophy of perseverance underscores the pursuit of mastery, inspiring students to rise after every fall.

Spiritual Leadership: Walking in Dependence

Similar to senseis, spiritual leaders possess a unique presence. They exude confidence and composure, navigating complex and unpredictable situations with grace as they carry out the Father’s will. Their strength comes from reliance on God, trusting His power to energize their abilities and gifts, using them to serve His purpose.

A true spiritual leader focuses on the next generation, aiming to develop new leaders who will carry on the mission. This selfless approach mirrors the example set by the Lord Jesus Christ. He trained His disciples to carry on His mission, a model Paul later followed by mentoring Timothy. Paul urged him to pass the truth on to others, 2 Timothy 2:2: “You have heard me teach things that many reliable witnesses have confirmed. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”

The Call to Discipleship

After becoming children of the King through faith, we are called to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. This path is not easy—it is one of self-denial and suffering. Yet, it is a path that anyone can walk, as it requires a conscious decision to set aside selfish desires and serve others.

Discipleship is not passive; it demands hands-on effort, practice, and the application of knowledge and skills. Walking closely with the Father is humbling. Disciples bear burdens and responsibilities that others do not, but walking closely with the Father is challenging yet deeply rewarding.

The Three Principles of Discipleship

The Lord Jesus Christ outlined three fundamental principles for those who aspire to follow Him:

1. Self-Denial

To deny oneself means to renounce a life centered on personal desires and gratification. Disciples embrace radical self-denial, striving to emulate the teachings and example of their Master-Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ. This mirrors martial arts, where students adopt the discipline and character of their sensei, such as focus, humility, self-control, and perseverance.

2. Taking Up One’s Cross

In the Roman world, the cross symbolized shame, suffering, and rejection. Criminals were forced to carry the crossbeam of their own cross to their execution. When Jesus calls His disciples to take up their cross, He speaks metaphorically. It signifies living daily as though sentenced to death—dying to the world and its temptations while living fully for the Father and His desires. As Green notes, “To take up the cross was to live like they were dead—to the world, but alive unto the Father.”

3. Consistency

Disciples are called to bear their cross daily, following the Father’s lead one step at a time. As Wiersbe explains, “The Father sets the pace, and we follow Him a step at a time, a day at a time.” Each day, disciples set aside their own agendas to take on the spiritual tasks assigned by the Father, aligning their lives with His master plan. For disciples, to take up the cross was to live like they were dead. That is, die to the world and all that it offers, but be alive unto the Father and all He desires.

A Paradigm Shift

The cross, once a symbol of shame, guilt, and suffering in the Roman world, has undergone a profound transformation. In the times of the New Testament, crucifixion was so despicable that it was not even mentioned in polite conversation. As Wiersbe observes, “The people would no more think of wearing crosses on their person than we would think of wearing gold or silver electric chairs.”

Yet today, the cross has become an emblem of hope, redemption, and identification with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is worn as jewelry, not to glorify suffering, but to proclaim allegiance to the One who bore the ultimate burden for humanity.

The Rewards of Following Christ

The path of discipleship is humbling, requiring self-denial, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace suffering. Yet, it is also the most rewarding journey on Earth. By following the Lord Jesus Christ, we align ourselves with His purpose, grow in His likeness, and experience the joy of walking closely with the Father.

Just as martial arts students emulate their sensei, disciples of Christ strive to reflect their Master-Teacher in every aspect of their lives, living not for themselves but for the glory of God.

REFLECT & PRAY

Great leaders face obstacles, overcome them, and keep on moving forward. They are humble and transparent. They readily admit their weaknesses, shortcomings, and poor decisions. Such self-awareness is a profound mark of inner strength and maturity.

Father, encourage me to step beyond my comfort zone. Help me be willing to risk it all to follow the agenda You have set for the remainder of my life.

INSIGHT

God Is Searching for Willing Hearts

God is always searching for those who are willing to step out in faith, to leave behind safety and comfort, and take bold risks for His kingdom. Ezekiel 22:30 captures this truth with poignant clarity: “I searched for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”

This passage is well known, yet it is seldom properly understood. What God sought in Ezekiel’s time was a person of moral conviction who would stand in the gap for Him. Someone who would rise above the complacency of the age to intercede for others, confront evil, and lead with courage and integrity. Yet, heartbreakingly, He found no one.

“There was no one who would be salty enough to help purify society (Matthew 5:13). There was no one to stand in dedication against the judgment of God and stop it or even delay it. So judgment is certain” (Butler).

The Urgency of the Breach

The word “gap” in this passage comes from the Hebrew word perets, which means “a breach or an opening in a wall or fortification.” This imagery reveals the urgency of God’s call. A gap in the wall signifies “vulnerability, an exposed weakness” in the community that requires someone to stand in its defense. God sought someone to repair the breach and fortify the wall against destruction, but no one was willing or able to answer that call.

This absence has profound implications today. It reflects a spiritual reality where gaps remain unguarded and vulnerabilities persist. God still calls His children to rise up as defenders of righteousness and stand firm in the face of deceit, injustice, and apathy, not on their own strength, but through His.

A Call to Discipleship

For centuries, Jesus Christ has extended the invitation to “stand in the gap” alongside Him. But this is no ordinary call. It is a summons to discipleship that demands a life wholly centered on God’s purpose. It means surrendering self-interest, laying down personal dreams, and following Christ wherever He leads.

To be a disciple is to live for the Father’s sake rather than our own, to exchange self-interest for sacrificial service to others. The Lord Jesus Christ defines discipleship in stark terms in Luke 9:23: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

There is no sugarcoating the cost. Discipleship often involves sacrifice, rejection, and even suffering. This path requires the surrender of personal ambitions, the readiness to face loss, rejection, or even martyrdom, and a willingness to walk wherever Jesus leads. Yet, it is also the path to transformation and purpose.

Following the Teacher’s Path

The word “discipline” shares its root with disciple, “highlighting the rigorous training and obedience required in this calling. A fitting parallel comes from the Japanese term sensei, meaning “one who comes before” (Constable). Disciples follow their teacher’s footsteps, but those footsteps often lead where few others dare to go.

The Reality of Standing in the Gap

There’s no denying it. Standing in the gap is not easy; it is hard. It requires faith to face down the brokenness of our culture—to address injustice, indifference, and darkness. Yet, this is precisely where God calls His children to serve. To stand in the gap is to embody His love and truth, to lead others toward repentance and hope, and to act as His conduit for restoration.

Standing in the gap may even cost everything. But through this calling comes a life of eternal purpose and significance. The Father honors those who step into the breach, and through them, He moves to bring restoration, healing, and hope. Every act of faith, no matter how small, helps to rebuild the walls of righteousness that guard the land.

Will You Answer the Call?

The gaps in the wall of righteousness still exist. The vulnerable spaces in the community, in culture, and even within hearts still cry out for defenders. The question remains today as it did in Ezekiel’s time: Will anyone stand in the gap? Taking your place in that breach will require sacrifice. However, through this bold act of faith, God works to rebuild and restore what has been broken.

The time is now to take your place and answer His call. Will you follow where He leads? Will you stand in the gap?

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© Dr. H 2025