As we enter Holy Week, our thoughts turn to the profound journey of Jesus Christ - a journey that began long before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. This path, stretching from the throne of heaven to the cruel cross of Calvary, was marked by unwavering determination and divine purpose.
The prophet Isaiah, centuries before Christ's birth, spoke of the coming Messiah's resolve: "I have set my face like a flint" (Isaiah 50:7). This image of unyielding determination paints a powerful picture of Jesus' commitment to His mission. Like flint - a rock so hard it can create sparks when struck - Jesus' resolve was unshakeable in the face of every obstacle and temptation.
From the very beginning, opposition to God's plan of salvation was fierce. Even as a newborn, Jesus faced mortal danger from King Herod, who sought to destroy Him. This was but the first of many attempts to derail the divine mission of redemption. Throughout His life and ministry, Jesus encountered numerous challenges designed to prevent Him from reaching the cross:
Why was this determination so crucial? To understand, we must confront the stark reality of our human condition. There exists a vast chasm between humanity and God - a gulf created by sin. The Bible plainly states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
This separation is not merely a feeling of distance from God; it is a spiritual reality that we cannot bridge on our own. Our attempts at good works, charitable giving, or religious observance - while potentially beneficial in themselves - fall woefully short of spanning this divide. Isaiah describes our righteous deeds as "filthy rags" in comparison to God's holiness.
But here is where the astounding love of God shines through. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). God Himself provided the solution, building a bridge across the chasm through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
This is why Jesus' unwavering commitment to reach the cross was so vital. It wasn't just the culmination of three years of ministry or the tragic end to a controversial life. It was the focal point of all history, the moment when divine love conquered sin and death to offer salvation to all humanity.
As Jesus carried His cross along the Via Dolorosa, jeered and mocked by the crowds, He was accomplishing something far greater than anyone realized. With each agonizing step, He was bridging the unbridgeable gap between God and man. When the nails pierced His hands and feet, He was opening the way for our forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
Even in those moments of excruciating pain, Jesus' love for humanity shone through.
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34), He prayed as they crucified Him. This wasn't just a general statement of forgiveness - it was a personal plea on behalf of each one of us.
The cross stands as the ultimate demonstration of God's love and the only sufficient answer to our sin problem. No amount of human effort or goodness can compare to the sacrifice of God's own Son. This is why the message of salvation through faith in Christ is so central to Christianity. We are saved not by our own merits, but by trusting in what Jesus has done for us.
Consider the thief crucified beside Jesus. In his final moments, he simply turned to Christ in faith, saying, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). He had no opportunity for good works, no chance to reform his life or attend church. Yet Jesus assured him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). This powerfully illustrates that salvation is by grace through faith alone.
As we reflect on Jesus' journey to the cross this Holy Week, we're invited to see ourselves in the story. We are the ones separated from God by sin. We are the ones unable to save ourselves. And we are the ones Jesus looked upon with love as He set His face like flint toward Calvary.
The question that confronts each of us is this: Will we accept what Jesus has done on our behalf? Will we place our trust in Him, believing that His sacrifice is sufficient to bridge the gap between us and God?
The invitation of the gospel is open to all. No matter your past, no matter how far you feel from God, the bridge has been built. Jesus walked the long and winding road from heaven to earth to the cross - all out of love for you. His determination brought Him to Calvary; your decision can bring you to eternal life.
As we approach Easter, let us marvel at the unwavering love that drove Jesus to the cross. Let us reflect on the immeasurable price paid for our redemption. And let us respond with grateful hearts, receiving by faith the salvation so freely offered to us all.
The prophet Isaiah, centuries before Christ's birth, spoke of the coming Messiah's resolve: "I have set my face like a flint" (Isaiah 50:7). This image of unyielding determination paints a powerful picture of Jesus' commitment to His mission. Like flint - a rock so hard it can create sparks when struck - Jesus' resolve was unshakeable in the face of every obstacle and temptation.
From the very beginning, opposition to God's plan of salvation was fierce. Even as a newborn, Jesus faced mortal danger from King Herod, who sought to destroy Him. This was but the first of many attempts to derail the divine mission of redemption. Throughout His life and ministry, Jesus encountered numerous challenges designed to prevent Him from reaching the cross:
- The enemy came as himself, tempting Jesus in the wilderness at the start of His ministry.
- The enemy came as a friend, speaking through Peter to dissuade Jesus from His sacrificial path.
- The enemy came in darkness, wrestling with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- The enemy came as a supporter, urging Jesus to fight back during His arrest.
- The enemy came as a lifeline, offering Jesus a chance to defend Himself before Pilate.
- The enemy came as a spectator, taunting Jesus to save Himself from the cross.
Why was this determination so crucial? To understand, we must confront the stark reality of our human condition. There exists a vast chasm between humanity and God - a gulf created by sin. The Bible plainly states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
This separation is not merely a feeling of distance from God; it is a spiritual reality that we cannot bridge on our own. Our attempts at good works, charitable giving, or religious observance - while potentially beneficial in themselves - fall woefully short of spanning this divide. Isaiah describes our righteous deeds as "filthy rags" in comparison to God's holiness.
But here is where the astounding love of God shines through. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). God Himself provided the solution, building a bridge across the chasm through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
This is why Jesus' unwavering commitment to reach the cross was so vital. It wasn't just the culmination of three years of ministry or the tragic end to a controversial life. It was the focal point of all history, the moment when divine love conquered sin and death to offer salvation to all humanity.
As Jesus carried His cross along the Via Dolorosa, jeered and mocked by the crowds, He was accomplishing something far greater than anyone realized. With each agonizing step, He was bridging the unbridgeable gap between God and man. When the nails pierced His hands and feet, He was opening the way for our forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
Even in those moments of excruciating pain, Jesus' love for humanity shone through.
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34), He prayed as they crucified Him. This wasn't just a general statement of forgiveness - it was a personal plea on behalf of each one of us.
The cross stands as the ultimate demonstration of God's love and the only sufficient answer to our sin problem. No amount of human effort or goodness can compare to the sacrifice of God's own Son. This is why the message of salvation through faith in Christ is so central to Christianity. We are saved not by our own merits, but by trusting in what Jesus has done for us.
Consider the thief crucified beside Jesus. In his final moments, he simply turned to Christ in faith, saying, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). He had no opportunity for good works, no chance to reform his life or attend church. Yet Jesus assured him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). This powerfully illustrates that salvation is by grace through faith alone.
As we reflect on Jesus' journey to the cross this Holy Week, we're invited to see ourselves in the story. We are the ones separated from God by sin. We are the ones unable to save ourselves. And we are the ones Jesus looked upon with love as He set His face like flint toward Calvary.
The question that confronts each of us is this: Will we accept what Jesus has done on our behalf? Will we place our trust in Him, believing that His sacrifice is sufficient to bridge the gap between us and God?
The invitation of the gospel is open to all. No matter your past, no matter how far you feel from God, the bridge has been built. Jesus walked the long and winding road from heaven to earth to the cross - all out of love for you. His determination brought Him to Calvary; your decision can bring you to eternal life.
As we approach Easter, let us marvel at the unwavering love that drove Jesus to the cross. Let us reflect on the immeasurable price paid for our redemption. And let us respond with grateful hearts, receiving by faith the salvation so freely offered to us all.
Pastor Phil Morgan
Posted in Palm Sunday
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