THINK TOGETHER.
Have you ever been very determined to do something difficult?
READ TOGETHER.
Luke 9:51. When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Luke 9 tells us that Jesus set his face. That is a way of saying that Jesus became very determined. He knew what he had to do, and he will do it. What did Jesus have to do? What was he determined to do? Go to Jerusalem.
So far in Luke’s gospel, everything has taken place far away from Jerusalem. But Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Jerusalem is where the Temple is. And Jerusalem is where Jesus will be crucified for our sins. That’s why Jesus had to be determined, because each step he takes is a step closer to his dying on the cross.
Thank God that Jesus was determined.
He was determined to make it to Jerusalem.
He was determined to let himself be arrested by the religious leaders.
He was determined to be put on trial.
He was determined to be beaten and put to death.
He was NOT determined to run away from any of these terrible things. Why not?
Because he was determined to save us from our sins.
He was determined to take our place on the cross.
He was determined to obey God the Father’s plan to save us.
He was determined to come back to life so that we can share in his new life.
I’m sure glad that Jesus was determined, aren’t you? That he never got distracted from his mission. He never tried to turn around and walk back home to Nazareth. He didn’t let fear or doubt get in his way, like we do.
And I’m sure glad that Jesus is still determined. Just like he was determined to make it to Jerusalem, he is determined to get us all the way to Heaven. Just like the disciples followed Jesus to Jerusalem, we are following Jesus to the New Jerusalem – the beautiful city where we will live with Jesus forever.
Jesus will get you there. He won’t leave you behind. He has set his face on bringing you all the way there. Just set your face on him and he will bring you home.
Because of Jesus we will make it all the way home to Heaven.
With Jesus we can be determined to follow him.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Sing the song, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus together. Talk about in what ways following Jesus is hard. In what ways is it easy?
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, thank you for being so determined to save me. Help me to follow you every day. Amen.
TLICfamily 