I found a resource whereby the individual has
combined the four Gospels and developed a timeline of the last six days of
Jesus life. Honestly I have run into an issue or two as to which day an event
should be associated with but that is about it. It has been interesting to me
as an outline and context to the events. Sometimes we remove events in Jesus
life from their context to examine them but context has as great an effect on
understanding as detailed examination.
Luke tells us, “Jesus
resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51 NIV) in fact the Samaritans
refused to entertain him because of his destination. Obviously, they had asked
and been answered. This is the key that I want to touch on today. Jesus was
resolute about his mission. Now his path to Jerusalem was anything but
straight. That is the way of the Kingdom of God never straight. However, he was
resolved to go to Jerusalem where he knew his destruction (physically) would
come.
In my preparation on day 6, Jesus makes a base
camp in Bethany entering Jerusalem from there and returning home in the
evening. Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived there, his friends and followers.
Notice his resolve, on day 5 he enters Jerusalem on a colt with great fanfare
and celebration right in the faces of those who would kill him. He then heads
to the temple and Mark says looks around then returns home to Bethany.
On day 4 he returns to Jerusalem and the Temple
and clears the Temple in this prophetic/messianic action infuriating the rulers
of the Temple the very ones who will kill him. No covert activity, no by dark
of night secret missions, he was resolved to his mission in front of God and
everybody. This resolve is what struck me most in the Passion of the Christ of several years ago. In the scourging scene
after have his back ripped to shreds and falling to the ground, he gets back up
to the dismay of the roman commander. We see this resolve each time he falls on
the way to the cross. Struggling to get back to his feet, hefting the cross to
his shoulders and walking again all the while being whipped and verbally abused,
he is heading to the place of his execution. That is his resolve, his mission
to get to the cross on the hill.
More than one wanted him to go to the cross and
die. Satan did as well. It seems macabre that God and satan shared a similar
goal the death of Jesus. But they did, both for defeat. God the defeat of sin
once and for all and satan the defeat of God and his plan. They were resolved
to the same plan as Jesus jJust not the same ends or for the same beneficiaries.
Am I resolved to the same plan as Jesus? Are
you? Will I attack in full view of the enemy? Would I get up again or just lay there? Would
I have stayed or fled when Jesus was arrested? Would I have welcomed him into
Jerusalem as Messiah or hoping for a new king? Maybe I would have stood along
the road enjoying the parade all the while asking “who is this guy but it’s a
great parade?” Where would you be? Where is my resolve?
In the weeks before Easter, it is good to take a
look at our resolve. How is my devotion to the Savior compared to that of Jesus
and his mission? Looks like I need to step it up! What about you?
In His
Service and Yours
The Rev
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