Day 92
Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:51-10:12; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11
He Set His Face to Go to Jerusalem
“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” Jesus knew His purpose for coming to earth and was determined to carry out the Father’s will. His mission was to die on a cross, carrying the sins of the whole world upon Him, so that all who believe in Him would know His love and forgiveness, receiving everlasting life.
The moment Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem, He was met with opposition: “The people did not receive him.” Others, not understanding His mission, vowed to follow Him wherever He would go. As His final hours were approaching, Jesus wanted to be clear there was a cost to following Him, which would be fraught with difficulties.
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” We are to resolutely set our face toward Jerusalem, fixing our eyes securely on Jesus in the midst of trials and temptations. When we fall, we get back up and keep pressing forward in His strength. Plowing is often arduous work, especially when the soil is hard and rocky. Sometimes, the people we encounter in our lives have hearts that have become hardened like rocky soil and some will not receive us because of our faith in Christ. Like the first disciples, we are called to share the love of Jesus with others, extending His forgiveness, healing, and peace.
The Rev. Robin E. Morical