When the days drew near for him to be taken up, [Jesus] set his face to go to Jerusalem.”
Luke 9:51 ESV
Yesterday we joined with multitudes of Christians celebrating Palm Sunday marking the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and the beginning of what is commonly termed the Passion Week of Christ.
His entrance was met with cries of Hosanna to God in the Highest and praises for the one that many believed would deliver them from Roman Rule.
“Blessed is the King who comes in the camera the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38
Jesus however knowing what lays before, weeps over the city because they did not know their day of visitation. Luke 19:41-44. Jesus knowing the prophetic word of Isaiah 53 must yet be fulfilled, understands what awaits Him.
Mondays events: Mark 11:12 -19 Jesus leaves Bethany to come back into Jerusalem. He curses the fruitless fig tree and cleanses the temple. Each event holds its own significance and perhaps somehow reflects His weeping over Jerusalem.
Jesus, having already experienced much rejection and will soon know the betrayal of one of his own, has ‘set his face’ to move forward.
“Behold I have come to do your will O God as it is written in the scroll of the book.” Hebrews 10:7
This speaks to me of the volume of His love for the Father and mankind. That knowing what is set before Him, His face is set to fully embrace all that is to come.
Anointed with the oil of joy, He endures for the joy set before Him. What joy can there possibly be in the cross except knowing, understanding, and believing your life is a seed that must be sown for the birthing of many others.
As we go through the days of this week let us be mindful of the power of that love that led Him to suffer on our behalf that we might live with Him.