When one becomes a Christian he accepts the lordship and thus the leadership of Jesus. Without this perspective discipleship goes nowhere. Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). Discipleship is more than a one day commitment, it is a way of life. Jesus speaks of daily cross bearing. Jesus is leading and He is looking for those who will follow. Some do follow for a short time, and then because of trials, temptations and the cares of this world they lose focus (Luke 8:11-15). Yet, Jesus is still leading. The question is this, are we still following?

Jesus leads in the area of service. In Matthew 20:28 the scriptures states, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." In our world, greatness is usually credited to those who have many serving them, but in the kingdom of God, it is not so. In the upper room Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. It didn't seem appropriate to them, to bow before there fellow disciples and perform this service, especially if they wanted to be considered as higher in rank. Jesus dismissed all such arrogance, when He, who was greater than all, became their servant, in this humble act of hospitality. Jesus told them to go and do likewise. When we develop the poor attitude of the disciples, we have forgotten the leadership of our Lord.

Jesus is ever present. He is not locked up in the church building on Sunday evening, awaiting our return the next Sunday. His leadership is not restricted to a place and time. He wants to be our leader at home. One of the great misunderstandings of the church is viewing it as a structure instead of the Lord's body. Christians should take spiritual values and principals and apply them to all relationships. Husbands, wives, and children living and treating one another in a way that the leadership of our Lord would demand.

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