"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem . . . " (Luke 9:51)
At this time in Jesus' ministry, he is continuing to preach and heal . He empowers his disciples and sends them out to do the same. But, something is different now. Amidst the glowing reports of success, something else is happening. Perhaps, it is foreshadowed in the Samaritans' refusal to accept Jesus since this comes at just the time when Jesus sets his face for Jerusalem.
"Do not tary with us. Go on to Jerusalem! Be with your people!"
His people! Those who would welcome him with a procession of Palms and coats laid in the roadway , those who would cry out " 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Like 19:38) Those same ones who would cry out, "Crucify him!"Steadfastly, he set himself to go to Jerusalem. That place of danger; that place where the heart of God would be pierced for his love of us; that place where Jesus would die is the place that Jesus was determined to go. There was nothing on this earth or in heaven that could keep him from it. God's love is so-o-o great!
The word that describes Jesus' attitude in going to Jerusalem is "steadfast." Definitions for steadfast are: firm, firm determination, unswerving devotion, unswerving allegiance, not shakable, dependable especially in loyalty.
Questions:
- What one word best describes your walk of faith?
- What one word best describes your prayer life?
- What one word best describes your faithfulness in reading the Bible?
- What one word best describes your faithfulness in attending worship and church school? (Sunday School)
- What one word best describes your faithfulness in serving within your church?
- What one word best describes your faithfulness in serving outside your church?
- What one word best describes your faithfulness in giving of your financial resources?
In Christ, Russell Repetske,
