Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem begins. From now on Jerusalem is his goal; the city to which Jesus will travel in obedience to God’s call, and where God’s redemptive plan and the rejection of his Messiah will be realised. And this is one of Luke’s most significant pictures for what it means to be a Christian – travelling in obedience to God’s call. Following Jesus is what it’s all about. But following Jesus has serious implications for the trajectory of life. People discover that their own ambitions and plans, purposes and expectations are called into question. For Jesus’ followers everything must be secondary to the call to follow him and announce God’s kingdom.
• ‘Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem’ (v.51). What is it that God is currently asking you to face resolutely in obedience to him?
• Is your relationship to Jesus the defining priority of your life?
• What conditions are you currently attaching to following Jesus?
• Are you prepared to follow Jesus wherever he leads and whatever the cost?
