“As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” – Luke 9:51

For Meditation

It was not His first. He had gone to Jerusalem many times before, but this was different. As a child, His parents took Him there for His dedication (Luke 2:21). As a budding teenager, He accompanied His parents to celebrate Passover (41-42). Between these two events and now, Jesus had visited Jerusalem for specific reasons. But the time had come for His last journey there—a journey of no return. 

He came to die to redeem humans from sin and death (Colossians 1:13). God had determined the manner of His death in eternity. He would hang on a tree to take away the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). Calvary waited for Him with a cross for His last breath on earth. Calvary was on the outskirt of Jerusalem, so Christ had to go there.

There was a clause in the divine assignment to fulfill. The Lamb of God (John 1:29) had to live a sinless life (1 Peter 1:19; 2:22). And so, He lived for thirty-three years, without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 5:8-9). 

He taught the people with authority about kingdom life and gave parables to illustrate the kingdom of God. He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, delivered the demon oppressed, and even raised the dead.

Israel’s spiritual leaders could not crack Him, so they pushed for His death. His disciples did not understand Him. He told them He had to die. But they denied reality and hoped for their flawed perception of the Messianic agenda. They will desert Him, deny Him, and betray Him. Yet, they tagged along. 

There is a time for everything. As His death approached, he held a conference on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet (Luke 8:28-36). The way was clear after the event. Calvary was ready for Him. Jesus therefore “steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (9:51 NKJV). 

Nothing would distract Him. No one would force Him either. In a determined and unwavering manner, the Son of God set out for Jerusalem. They will arrest Him, accuse Him falsely, demand His crucifixion, torture, mock, and nail Him to the cross to die a shameful death. As Isaiah prophesied:

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth (Isaiah 53:7).

That is the narrative of Easter. It summarizes the events that led to our salvation in Christ Jesus. 

So, as we walk with Jesus to Calvary these fourteen days, let us set our faces toward heaven with resolve and learn from His experiences until He comes.