Morning by Morning, April 12 - Jesus "Set His Face" to Jerusalem so We Can Set Our Face to Jesus
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart to see You and open the ears of my spirit to hear You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
"When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51).
We tend to shy away from confrontation, but You set Your face to face a world of pain we can't even comprehend. We tend to turn away from those who might reject us or betray us or intend to cause us harm, but You set about on a path You knew would lead to a post where You'd be whipped to edge of death and then left to die hanging on a cross, crying out to God from Your bleeding body and broken heart that it seemed even He had forsaken You (Matthew 27:46). But we can only set our faces toward Heaven now because You set Your face toward Jerusalem then.
Because You looked to Jerusalem, despite all You knew You would endure for our sakes, we can look to You, despite anything we might endure on our daily journey through this broken and fallen world. Because You walked Your journey to the cross, we can run our race of faith: "Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endure such hostility against Himself from sinners, so that (we) may not grow weary or lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3).
You were resolute and determined, unwavering and unrelenting, in the fulfillment of Your mission for us. May we be resolute and determined, unwavering and unrelenting, in the fulfillment of our mission for You. Because You took up Your cross that day, may we take up our cross every day. Just as You said to Your first disciples then, You continue to say all who would be Your disciples now, "If any want to become My followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for My sake will save it" (Luke 9:23).
We don't know what nature of cross we will be called to bear; and we don't know the full measure of all we will be required to endure (Luke 14:25-33 and 21:7-28). But we do know we have a Savior who was tested and tempted in every way we could ever face, yet overcome it all so that we could be overcomers in You. So "let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).
As You continue to encourage us through Your word and Your example, by Your Spirit in our hearts, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NLT). You set Your face to Jerusalem. Now I set my face to Jesus. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you set your face to Jesus, knowing He has overcome all you may endure to make you an overcomer in Him, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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