Day 21: "Getting Ready for the Week that Shook the World"

Day 21

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith, published by the Patuxent

 Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland, by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

WEEK THREE: SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2020

"Getting ready for the week that shook the world."

“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,

Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, and with its dawning the beginning of Holy Week, the week that will remain in all of human history the week that shook the world.

The English adverb “resolutely” in the Greek provides for a variety of translations, all of which provide color and nuanced depth to what it is Jesus is doing here.

“…he gathered up his courage and steeled himself for the journey to Jerusalem.” The Message

“…He was determined to go to Jerusalem (to fulfill His purpose).” The Amplified Bible

“…he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.” King James Version

“…He made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem.” Good News Version

Resolutely…steeled himself…courage…determined…steadfastly…made up his mind…set his face…well, you get the picture. Whatever was going to happen, Jesus was not going to allow anything to keep Him from it. His face could only point in one direction – Jerusalem.

I particularly am taken by the image of Jesus ‘setting his face…’ because it makes it quite clear that we are so constructed that we can look in only one direction at a time. In this instance our outward anatomy mirrors our inner construction: we can only give our hearts, our ‘selves’ to one thing at a time. But beware - God’s Word describes persons attempting to focus on two different things  at the same time: “…a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:8

Reflective question: As you approach Holy Week, what is Jesus saying to you He wants you to ‘set your face’ to, make the one thing that will be your focus this week? 

Reflective scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Reflective hymn: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” – source unknown

I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back.

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