Hacksaw Ridge: The Way of Costly Discipleship - Anabaptist (John 14:1-6)

In the heart of the chaos of World War II, Desmond Doss stood at the precipice of a decision that would shape his life and testify to his faith. Picture the rugged cliffs of Hacksaw Ridge, where the cacophony of battle raged, bullets flying like a swarm of angry bees. As fellow soldiers clung to their rifles, ready to fight fire with fire, Doss—unarmed and unwavering—felt the weight of his convictions pressing upon him. He was a conscientious objector, not out of cowardice, but from an unwavering commitment to agape, the selfless love that Jesus exemplified.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the battlefield, Doss climbed that treacherous ridge, not to take life but to save it. He moved amidst the chaos, the scent of gunpowder and the cries of the wounded filling the air. With every step, he embodied John 14:6, where Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In that moment, truth was not merely an abstract doctrine; it was a tangible reality, lived out in sacrificial love.

Doss didn’t just believe in the call to cross-bearing discipleship; he lived it. He braved enemy fire—not for glory, but to rescue those whom others deemed enemies. When he finally emerged from the smoke and carnage, he had saved over seventy men, a testament to the life that springs forth through dying to self.

As we reflect on Doss's courageous journey, we are confronted with a profound question: Are we merely believers, or are we followers of this way? In our ordinary lives, do we dare to step into the chaos and embody Christ’s love, knowing that true life often requires costly discipleship? Doss chose the way of the cross; may we too find the courage to walk it, wherever it may lead.