Stay focused: On the Journey to Jerusalem

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Announcing the Journey• The Mount of

Transfiguration• “They [Moses and

Elijah] appeared in glorious splendor and spoke about his departure that he was about to carry out at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:30-31).

The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke 9 - 199:51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up,

he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

9:53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.

13:22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.

13:33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.'

13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!

17:11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.

18:31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem…

19:11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem...

19:28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

PurposeLuke 9:51-53 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

The Hebrew idiom “to set one’s face to go somewhere” indicates a determination to accomplish a task (Gen. 31:21; Isa. 50:7; Jer. 21:10; 44:12; Ezek. 6:2; 13:17; 14:8; 15:7; Dan. 11:17–18)

The example of Jesus• ‘I glorified you on earth by completing the work

you gave me to do’ (Joh 17:4). • He said: tetelestai, ‘It is completed!’ (Joh 19:30).• [Let us keep] our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer

and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. (Hebrews 12:2-3).

CONSEQUENTS OF THE JOURNEY

RejectionLack of commitmentUnpopular decisionLoosing people/ misunderstandingThe outcasts

RejectionLuke 9:51-53 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.

Lack of commitment

• In 9:57–62 Jesus rebukes a few disciples who were not fully commitment: lack of earthly things; work? Social relationships: friend/family?

• Is this the reason for the lack of workers (Luke 10:1-2)?

• In 10:1–24 we find a successful missions event. Disciples were ‘send’ (lit: send away, release to go) by the Lord of the harvest.

Unpopular decision • “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and

he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, ‘For three years now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue to deplete the soil?’

• But the worker answered him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it. Then if it bears fruit next year, very well, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ” (13:6-9)

Parting of views

• Luk 13:10-17 > people are more important than our interpretation (views) of God’s word– “The ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had

healed on the Sabbath” (Luk 13:14 ESV)

• Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from its stall, and lead it to water? Then shouldn't this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be released from this imprisonment

on the Sabbath day?" (Luk 13:15-16)

Recast the visionHe went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. (Luk 13:22 ESV)Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.‘ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Luk 13:33-34 ESV)

Focus on the outcast• Luk 14:13-14, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame,

the blind (Luk 14:13)• Luk 15, the tax collectors and sinners were all

drawing near to hear him. (Luk 15:1)• Luk 16, a poor man named Lazarus (Luk 16:20)• 17:11 ff. he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a

distance (Luk 17:12)• 18: 1 ff. And there was a widow in that city (Luk

18:3) • 18:9 ff. he tax collector, standing far off, (Luk 18:13) • 18:15 ff. Now they were bringing even infants to him

that he might touch them (Luk 18:15 ESV)

Recast the visionLuke 18:31-34 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be turned over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”

Not everybody understandsThe disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

What was the context (1)• Luk 9:18-20. Peter’s confession: The Christ of

God• Luk 9:21-22. Announcing the mission. "The

Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." (Luk 9:22 ESV)

• Luk 9:23-27. The proper response: follow Christ.

What was the context (2)• What happened next? What did the disciples

do? • 1) An argument arose among them as to

which of them was the greatest. (Luk 9:46 ESV)

• 2) "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." (Luk 9:49 ESV).

Share the vision widelyLuke 19:10-11 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem,

Not everybody understandsand because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

THE CITY

The final phaseLuke 19:28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.Luke 19:41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.He entered the city to celebrate his final Passover with his disciples (22:10). After the meal he went outside of the city to pray (Luke 22:39). This preparation was necessary to complete his mission. Luke 23:33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.“ (Luk 24:5-7 ESV)

What is our Jerusalem?• What is it that you and I are passionate about?

What is it that you and I are living for? Both personally and as a local church?

• Our vision is and must be connected with the finished work of Christ in Jerusalem.

• “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things” (Luk 24:46-48)