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Reading: Luke 9:43b-56 

Key verse: "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem" (verse 51)

Reflection

The flow of the Gospel of Luke make a decisive and direct turn in verse 51. Before this verse we have mostly about the birth of Jesus (chapter 1-2) and his ministry in Galilee (chapter 5-9). But now in chapter 9:51 Jesus starts his long journey toward Jerusalem.

Jesus had probably journeyed to Jerusalem dozens of times during his earthly life (at least once of year for the Passover feast in March / April). But this trip to Jerusalem would be different.

Jerusalem was the royal city, the place of worship and the location of so much of Israel's history. It was also the place of much sin and sufferings. And when Jesus set out for Jerusalem this time he did so with great resolve. As one commentator says: " 'Setting one's face' to do something is an Old Testament way of speaking about resolve (Gen 31:21; Jer 21:10; 44:12). Jesus is determined to accomplish God's will wherever it leads."

And in both the context of this verse (see 9:43b-45) and the end of the journey (see chapter 23) Jesus is going to the great city to suffer and die. The disciples do not understand this (verse 45) and we may not understand this either. But this is the great destiny of Jesus: to journey to Jerusalem to suffer and die for the sins of the world.

In coming days and weeks let's journey with Jesus toward his suffering, cross and also...his resurrection!