These words mark the turning point in the direction of Christ's message and literally in His footsteps. The Gospels make a point of the physical direction Jesus turns toward as He sets about completing the work He must do. For Matthew, Christ's journey to the Northernmost edge of Israel, Tyre & Sidon (Mt. 15:21ff), represents the apogee of a trajectory that inevitably heads for Jerusalem and the cross. Luke, even more pointed, says, "Jesus steadfastly set His face toward Jerusalem (9:51)."
Jesus began preparing His disciples (and Himself, no doubt) for the coming days, days which would include great triumph and great despair. The road to Jerusalem from Mount Tabor, where God Himself visited and blessed His Son, included conflicts with leaders, Samaritans and Jews. It saw the feeding of thousands from the blessing hands of Christ; miraculous healing of demon-tormented children; a resurrection of the untimely dead. It included rejection and attempted stoning. Adoration of welcoming throngs, betrayal in the dark of night.
Thus are we called to toward Good Friday, and toward our own cross. Each year we approach Easter, but first we must pass through Lent. Each day of our lives, whether in the Lenten season or not, we awake to again take up our cross and follow Him.We are asked to imitate Christ, who knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem, yet still set His face toward that
path. I must take up the cross of repentance, of self-denial, though I know the road will be difficult, though I know life will be complicated, filled with ups and downs, I must choose this path.
Our Lenten study will follow the path Christ took, inviting us to enter in to that journey and join His suffering. I encourage you to look prayerfully into these Scriptures and consider the cross you bear in obedience to your Master.
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