Today’s Bible reading

Read Luke 9:43-56

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem — Luke 9:51

More thoughts for meditation

There are 24 chapters in the Gospel of Luke and here in chapter 9, less than half way through his narrative, Luke records Jesus turning toward Jerusalem and “being lifted up.” Jesus turns into the shadow of death and walks steadfastly into it, and through it for the rest of Luke’s story. We are more than half way through Lent now, are you experiencing any steadfastness? 

Let Jesus inspire you again with his incredible faithfulness. He knew where he was headed long before it came to pass, and yet he persisted. Another translation of Luke 9:51 is “Jesus set his face like flint toward Jerusalem.”

This echoes Isaiah 50:7, a prophecy about “the suffering servant”,

“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,

    I will not be disgraced.

Therefore have I set my face like flint,

    and I know I will not be put to shame.”

The Sovereign Lord helps you as well. You are not alone in this long obedience. If all you have done in Lent is run into roadblocks, frustration, resistance and avoidance, do not be ashamed! It is not too late yet even to begin. How will you make it to Good Friday, when Jesus dies (11 days away) and through to Easter Sunday? What is your plan for how you will make it through with Jesus?

Suggestions for action

Write down your intention —  for the first time or again. Next week is Holy Week, a time during which we turn up the intensity of our devotion. Make a plan for how you can participate in our communal final push. Details at circleofhope.net/lent. Plan for steadfastness. Plan for flint facedness. Plan for the Sovereign Lord to help.