“As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51 NIV)
Jesus knew the times He was living in. He knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem. He did not hide or hoard or stubbornly dig His heels in. Nope, He resolutely set out for Jerusalem. The ESV says He ‘set His face toward’ the city.
If Jesus, with full knowledge of His terrible fate, was still able to staunchly march forward into a challenging future, what about us?
I have seen so much public outcry from Christians about the times we are living in. And while it is appropriate for us to be like Lot; tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard (2 Peter 2:8), it is inappropriate and a lousy witness when we freak out and panic publicly.
If we really believe that the end is coming, what will we do about it? I know what our Savior did. He set His face toward the toughest week of His existence and marched into it. He knew the hardships He was facing, we only have an inkling of what’s coming for us. Will we follow Him into hard things? Will we resolutely set out into tomorrow and eternity with Him, regardless of what the in between may look like? Or will we belly-ache and bicker on social media?
I get it, it feels kind of end-times out there. Believers have legitimate concerns about freedoms vanishing, unconstitutional mandates, big government and micro-managed worship. The America we knew has transformed nearly overnight. It’s unnerving. Our faith could finally come with a real price tag. But Jesus said it would be like this, and far worse. Why didn’t we believe Him? Why are we surprised, incensed and enraged? What if instead, we responded like as our Savior did, eager for the part that comes after the suffering. If we fix our eyes on heaven, we summon the strength to go forward resolutely.
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”
(Philippians 3:10-11 NLT)
“Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, He will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight.” (2 Peter 3:11-13 NLT)
Lord, we are living in uncertain times, but our future is decided. Please help us to live resolutely: our faces set on following You no matter the mess between here and heaven. We are willing to suffer because we are ready to participate in Your resurrection. Amen.