Photo ©2006 and Commentary ©2025 by Chuck Davis
Monday, December 29, 2025
The image for today’s photo parable shows the steep path up the final ridge of Pratt Mountain. The photo makes clear that a winter ascent is best accomplished on snowshoes. Seeing a well-defined path is an indication that the journey, no matter how difficult, is possible.
To be with Jesus during the years of His ministry must have extremely hard. But during those years He led His disciples as a shepherd leads his sheep. Christ always provided a path.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him (Matthew 4:18-22 NIV).
Even as His path became more difficult, He was there in the front: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24 NIV).
As Peter wrote his first letter, he must have remembered his last walk alone with Jesus. Jesus asked three times if Peter loved Him. “Feed my sheep.” Through his letters, Peter is still feeding His sheep.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)
I hope that this photo reminds you that a life lived for Christ is a life full of following. Study His path and follow in His footsteps. Feed His sheep.