In the Gospel of Luke, we find an important turning point. Throughout the Gospel of Luke (and Matthew and Mark, for that matter), Jesus galivants about the Galilean countryside, always avoiding a visit to the place of places — the city of Jerusalem. This is in contrast to the Gospel of John which records at least three visits to Jerusalem during his ministry.
For the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), it seems quite intentional because, from their perspective, the ministry of Jesus only lasted about one year. Given the disgruntled feelings that many Jews had about the corruption in Jerusalem and the Temple, it’s no surprise that Jesus stayed away knowing what would happen if a political figure from the outside, with a strong popular following, showed up inside the city gates.
But Jesus knows that day of reckoning will come, even while he is still far off. In Luke 9 it says:
When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him.
From this point on, we see a different side to Jesus. Things take on a new sense of urgency. As the shadow of Jerusalem looms large, we hear him sound the clarion call to discipleship:
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
These past weeks, we’ve been invited to discover, to explore, to get a little lost with Jesus. As Holy Week draws near, let us turn our focused attention toward the divine drama that awaits in Jerusalem.
Buen Camino!
Rev. Dr. David Chisham
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Here we are in the thick of our Lord’s passion.