Easter Meditation – March 11th

As Gail and I read through Luke in preparation for Bible Immersion Camp, we were both struck by how determined Jesus was to go to Jerusalem and the cross. Beginning with Peter’s confession of Christ in chapter nine and continuing through the Triumphal Entry in chapter 19, Jesus is shown continually making his way to Jerusalem. Not that he was always physically going that direction, but psychologically and spiritually that was his constant goal. The following verses from these chapters seem to graphically tell the story:

Luke 9:22-23 “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:29-31 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.

Luke 13:22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.

Luke 13:31-34 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Luke 14:27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Luke 18:31-33And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon.
And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”

Luke 19:28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.