Focus on Your Purpose in Christ
LENT: A Journey to the Cross (Week 1) • Sermon • Submitted
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51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival.
53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.
54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?”
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
56 So they went on to another village.
Jesus’ Focus was on Jerusalem
He Knew his purpose would be fulfilled in Jerusalem
51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;
51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,
When it came close to the time for his Ascension, he gathered up his courage and steeled himself for the journey to Jerusalem. - The Message
To “Steel Oneself” is to gather up courage to face a difficult situation. To harden oneself, like steel, to be able to face what is coming ahead...
“This marks a major turning point in Luke’s Gospel, as Jesus’ ministry shifts from Galilee and advances toward Jerusalem and the cross.” - Faithlife Study Bible
Jesus was focused on going to Jerusalem because in Jerusalem he would fulfil his purpose.
He was a man who KNEW his purpose
What was Jesus purpose?
To seek and save the lost
To give his life as a ransom for many
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
He knew that purpose would be fulfilled in Jerusalem on a cross
22 “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”
44 “Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.”
But, he endured the cross to fulfill the purpose for which he was sent
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
He had been to Jerusalem many times before, but this will be the last time he goes to Jerusalem. During this pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Jesus will not simply be a worshipper or a spectator. He will be the one who fulfills ALL the sacrificial requirements from the Old Testament.
His purpose is to go to Jerusalem and offer HIMSELF as the prescribed sacrifice for sins. He is DETERMINED, FOCUSED on Jerusalem because in Jerusalem lies His purpose!
The Samaritans opposed him
Jesus CHOSE to go through Samaria.
Normally, Jews would go AROUND Samaria - they would go through the Jordan River Valley until they get to Jericho. Then they would head southwest out of Jericho and climb the mountain path into Jerusalem. Thus, avoiding Samaria. (John 4 highlights some of this tension…)
The tension between Jews and Samaritans was so great that Jesus was opposed by the Samaritans BECAUSE he was heading to JERUSALEM for Passover.
Their religious differences and political differences merged together in strong opposition towards each other.
They worship at Mount Gerizim
(and still do to this day!)
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”
But, Jesus wouldn't allow opposition to deter him.
Not even the question of his disciples, to call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans would deter Jesus.
Now, it must be admitted that Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, detailed in Luke, has him meandering to a fro from place to place. However, Luke details that this is indeed Jesus traveling towards Jerusalem, He just does it in an indirect way.
He kept his focus on Jerusalem!
No matter what others said to him, or said about him, Jesus would not allow that to keep him from fulfilling His purpose.
He would not allow opposition to take his focus off of getting to Jerusalem. He was a man with a purpose on a purposeful mission!
What's your purpose?
Who or what gets in the way of fulfilling that purpose?
If you don't know your purpose, Lent is a great time to remember or discern it.
How can you use the season of Lent to help you refocus on God’s purpose for you?
It is a time of fasting and preparation for what God wants to do IN you and THROUGH you as you fulfill your purpose.
It is a time to set aside some business, or a time to accept more Spiritual Discipline, as we allow God to focus us again on our purpose.
Re-share my purpose.
What events in your life help you to discern your purpose?
As we set our gaze towards the cross may our purpose become clear.
May we take the time to allow God to redirect our focus on our purpose!
May we see the way of sacrifice
May we walk in humility
May we share hope
May we bestow comfort
May we see the world through the eyes of Jesus who say through Jerusalem and the cross a way to love and forgive.