When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 ESV
When the days were coming to a close for him to be taken up, he determined to journey to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 CSB
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 NIV
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, Luke 9:51 KJV
What are some things you notice when you read this same verse, in a few different versions? All saying the same thing ultimately, but mildly different at the same time. Reading Luke 9:51 in ESV for women’s Bible study a few weeks ago really caused me to pause and consider what Jesus felt, what Jesus knew, and how Jesus responded to the Father’s will at this moment, when it was time for the beginning of the end of Jesus’s earthly ministry, when he would set out to fulfill what man could not do, when it came time for the Son of Man to suffer, to be mocked and spit on and beaten, to be crucified for the sins He never committed, to be separated from the Father and perfect union as the Trinity, so that He would fulfill the Father’s plan to send the Son to be the savior of the world.
He set his face towards Jerusalem.
Knowing full well what was to come being totally God who knows all things while at the very same time being totally man, who would later pray in agony to the Father that if it was possible for this cup, the cup of God’s wrath, to be taken away from Him, to do it.
And yet, He understood. He knew what was required of Him in order to save sinners.
So he steadfastly set his face towards Jerusalem.
Resolved. Determined.
May we enter Holy Week reflecting on the heart of Jesus as he made His journey to Jerusalem to save sinners. To pay the price our sin required (for the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23) that you and I could never accomplish.
May we enter Holy Week considering the love of God the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that God’s plan to save sinners is finished and that we would truly believe that we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus.
May we enter Holy Week resolved knowing the cross has paid for all our sin, but at the same time resolved to work out our faith with fear and trembling as we revere our Holy God, never settling or being comfortable with our sin that Jesus died for, which we are commanded to cut out that so easily sneaks in, entangles, and separates us from our loving God and from His Truth.
May we enter Holy Week humbled at what God has done for us, as we consider our humble, servant King entering in to Jerusalem, not by extravagant chariot or horse, but carried by a foal, a donkey, whose face was set and heart humbly submitted to the Father’s will to save those who would soon go from shouts of praise, “Hosanna!”, to scorns and laughter.
Set your face to the Son as we enter Holy Week together, friend. 🌿🤍
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