Gratitude and joy. Jesus
faced the cross with the joy set before Him. As He moved into Jerusalem
understanding what was to come, He set His face towards the goal.
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
Jesus knew what was about to take
place. He set His face steadfastly. Other versions use the word, “resolutely”.
Have you had struggles to face? We know the feeling of having to go through
something so deep and so traumatic, we just set our face and do the best we
can. Jesus understands. In fact, the prophet Isaiah wrote about Jesus hundreds
of years earlier. Listen to these words about the coming Redeemer.
I offered
my back to those who beat Me, my cheek to those who pulled out My beard; I did
not hide My face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps
Me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint and I
know I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:6-7
Flint is a hard,
sedimentary rock. When struck against steel, a spark ignites. Jesus knew the
difficulties about to strike Him and He set His face like flint, resolutely,
steadfastly. The cost, many times, is worth the pain. Have you come through a
difficult time and gained something more valuable? Wisdom, personal change, a
deep spiritual joy, an abiding faith?
Jesus helps us to
set our faces as we move against our struggles, with the joy set before us. He
is our joy and our home. Let’s move steadfastly, resolutely towards Him.
Jesus,
One day soon, we will be with You forever. Guide us through
the tough times and bring us out with new purpose and joy. We thank You with
grateful hearts this week, for all You have done, for all You will do.
Amen
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