He Set His Face

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51

Oh how I love these words in the precious Word of God. They were read tonight as a part of the text for the sermon, which was primarily about God's plowmen. It was a good sermon on that topic, but for some reason my eyes kept fixing on the above verse. Since it's the beginning of Passion Week, as it's called, I wanted to reflect on the thought of my Savior doggedly determined to go to Jerusalem, knowing full well what awaited Him there. He unwaveringly "set his face" to go, not for Himself, but for others. I hope if you're reading this that you are included as one of the many who have benefited from what happened over two thousand years ago, in Jerusalem.

Bishop Ryle can say it so much better than I can:

". . . The betrayal, the unjust trial, the mockery, the scourging, the crown of thorns, the spitting, the nails, the spear, the agony of the cross--all were doubtless spread before His mind's eye, like a picture. But He never flinched for a moment from the work that He had undertaken. His heart was set on paying the price of our redemption, and going even to the prison of the grave, as our surety. He was full of tender love towards sinners. It was the desire of His whole soul to procure for them salvation. And so, 'for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame.' (Heb. xii.2)"