On to Jerusalem - March 9 Readings: Numbers 29-30, Mark 10:17–34, Psalm 33:18–22, Proverbs 8:10-11

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Judged on strictly earthly terms, it was an act of incredible folly. In Galilee, Jesus was the hottest thing going - the most popular man around. Crowds were following him everywhere, and though some of his teachings were rankling the crowds and though the religious leaders were growing increasingly alarmed at his popularity, Jesus seemed to have everything going his way.

And then, he up and went to Jerusalem, where the people who hated him ran things, where the authorities were everywhere and where things were likely not to turn out well for him. And he did it on purpose. He let his disciples know exactly what was going to happen in verses 33 and 34.

See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.

It was Jesus' intent to go to Jerusalem knowing that he would be arrested, condemned, mocked, and killed. It was his plan to die. Jesus did not think like we do. He was not about popularity or the admiration and adulation of the crowds. He was here to do the Father's work and to accomplish the eternal plan of salvation, and that required his death.

Ultimately, the only path to life - both life eternal and life abundant - required his death. Jesus could have enjoyed his life of popularity in northern hills of Galilee, but had he chosen that path we would have all died in our sins. The Father's plan required a sacrificial death and Jesus offered himself as the Lamb for that purpose. He came to die so that we might live.

And those who receive the life that comes from Christ's death are called to live as he did. We do not seek the things of the world. Instead, we die with Christ and are raised to walk a new life in which serving God and seeking his kingdom is the center of all that we do.

Jesus abandoned the adoring crowds to walk the lonely road of death for our sake. We must lay down our lives for the cause of Christ as he laid down his life for us.

Father, for the death of your Son I can never say thank you enough. But I can give the one response that is appropriate and fitting - my body as a living sacrifice. My life is yours!