There is a verse of Scripture that we sometimes miss when we’re reading through the life of Jesus, found in chapter 9 of Luke’s gospel. It’s an understandable oversight, since it’s followed almost immediately by one of the more striking interactions between Jesus, James, and John in verses 54-55. In light of what happens with them it’s easy to lose sight of what Luke just told us in verse 51:
“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.”
—Luke 9:51 (NRSV)
It is perhaps the most significant turning point (literally) in Jesus’ three years as an itinerant rabbi. After months of teaching and ministry in Galilee he turns south and “sets his face” towards the city of Jerusalem. It’s an image, not just of intention, but of resoluteness, like that of a prophet given an urgent message to deliver to the people (Ezek. 21:2).
Jesus knows what awaits him in Jerusalem. Earlier in Luke 9 he warned his disciples exactly what would happen when they get there. He will suffer. He will be rejected. He will be killed. Yes, he even lets them in on the greatest secret of all, the truth that he will be raised. The greatest glory will be revealed, but not before the greatest suffering. Jesus is well aware of this. He knows the terrible things that lie ahead, and yet he goes. He sets his face to go to Jerusalem. He has heard God’s call, and he answers with a single word.
“Yes.”
During Lent we, too, “set our face to go to Jerusalem.” We walk with Jesus to the cross, to reflect not only on his death, but also our own. Because on this journey we are reminded of the words Jesus spoke immediately after telling his disciples what awaited them in the city:
“Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”—Luke 9:23-24 (NRSV)
Lent is where we embrace the call of Jesus to die to ourselves. In acknowledging our sin we are acknowledging all the things that lay claim to us, the idols we cling to in our desire for self-sufficiency. When we follow Jesus to the cross and lay our lives at his feet, those idols lose their grip on our souls. In their place we take up the very sacrificial death of Jesus, not just once, but every single day. It’s not easy. The cost is great because our wounds are so deep, but in his wounds we find both healing and a call to go even deeper still. And like Jesus, we answer the call with a single word.
“Yes.”
In the passion of Your sacrifice
I saw the prophecy fulfilled
Healer of the world, the wounded cry
I heard You say come follow me
So I will, yes I will
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Questions for Reflection
1) What does it mean for you to know that Jesus invites you to walk this path to Jerusalem with him? Imagine it’s a literal journey and ponder what you’d like to talk with him about as you make your way to Jerusalem together. What questions would you ask him? What would you hope to hear from him?
2) In the words of the song, the cross is both “terrible” and “glorious.” How does that tension resonate with you? Do you gravitate towards one or the other? Is there one that you resist? Is there perhaps an invitation to see the cross in a new way during these 40 days?
3) Read and reflect on this verse. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
—Galatians 2:20 (CSB)