"Bound for Jerusalem" August 18 Readings: Matthew 20:1-34, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31-34

Today's Reading - Matthew 20:1-34, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31-34 

Background

Today's readings mark the clear turning point in Jesus' ministry. The hints have been leading up to this point, but now all doubt is gone. After a parable about rewards for serving God and his kingdom, Jesus predicts his death a third time, with a firm prediction that they are headed to Jerusalem. The Galilean portion of the ministry is over and the march to Jerusalem is beginning.

The story of the request of James and John (evidently pushed by their "stage mom" according to Matthew) is quite a contrast to the intent of Jesus. Jesus is planning to go to Jerusalem and die for the sins of the world while these two are scheming to see who can become the "greatest" when Jesus takes over the government. Not only is their attitude wrong but they demonstrate that they have no understanding of the nature of the kingdom of God.

The final story, of course, is a healing in Jericho, in the plain just north of the Dead Sea, as Jesus was headed toward Jerusalem. 

Devotional - Bound for Jerusalem

Judged solely by human wisdom, it was a foolish move. Jesus had been popular in Galilee, and he's been relatively safe. He could have stayed there surrounded by the crowds, but that is not what he was on earth to do. His had a purpose higher than popularity, higher than "success," and higher than safety. He was there to do the Father's work and that took him on an ominous uphill journey.

So, he headed to Jerusalem where the people with power dwelled, the people who hated him and wanted him dead. Things were not likely to turn out well for him there, but that did not deter him. he did it on purpose because that is what the Father called him to do. Look at Mark 10:33-34.

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 the 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!

Think and Pray

When Jesus commanded his disciples to take up their crosses and follow him, he meant that we must walk as he walked - obeying the Father's will even to the point of laying down your life.
Think and pray about how that commitment will affect your life.