LUKE 9 - Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

As I prepare for the Holy week, my thoughts go to this scene that Luke recorded in his Gospel.  Jesus had been traveling, teaching, performing healings and all kinds of miracles.  Crowds were following Him and His popularity was growing immensely. None of these things distracted Jesus from the task He was sent to earth to accomplish.  Nothing sidetracked the Son of God from His divine assignment.

In Luke 9: 22, Jesus spoke of the events that were soon to happen: "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."  The words seem very straightforward and leave no doubt as to His coming demise. Later in the same chapter of Luke, Jesus again warned the disciples of His death:  "'Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you; The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.' But they did not understand what this meant.  It was hidden from them..."  Although we can read them today and see the meaning, the disciples could not grasp what Jesus was saying.  Denial, blindness, wishful thinking all play into the disciples' lack of understanding.

The prophet Isaiah wrote in chapter 50 about the Servant, the coming Messiah.  His prophecy in verse 7b says, "Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame."  How does that connect to Luke's account of Jesus' life and ministry?  As Jesus was teaching, training and mentoring the disciples, His focus was on one thing: the cross.  In verse 51 of Luke chapter 9, Luke wrote:  "As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."  

In Jerusalem, Jesus would face the worst and most intense season of His life.  The Jewish religious leaders, priests, scribes and Pharisees were waiting for an opportunity to accuse, charge and execute this threat to their popularity and power.  He sensed the time drawing near but did not skirt the city or avoid the dreaded cross.  Hebrews 12:2b says of our Saviour: "...For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  He had to bear sin and shame on our behalf, but as Isaiah wrote, the Messiah would not be put to shame in that He would be sinless and innocent.  He was willing to endure the cross.  He could see the joy on the other side!

Jesus, I can hardly think of such things, that You were willing to go to the cross for me!   How can I tell You how much I love You for taking my sin and shame on Yourself?  Your love and sacrifice are too much for me to comprehend.  Thank You!