From Luke 9: “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…” (v 51 – NKJV)
Jesus knew his purpose would be fulfilled in Jerusalem, so he went steadfastly. There were many things that happened in his life before passion week, but Jesus stayed focused on the will of the Father. Whether there were victories or losses on the road, nothing would distract him from his purpose.
Oh to have this focus! But how often do I look more like Martha? From Luke 10: “As Jesus and his disciples were on the way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (vv 38-42 – NIV)
For Jesus, the ‘one thing’ was surely his Father, and he depended on the Holy Spirit to lead him daily until his purpose was complete. Is not Jesus the ‘one thing’ we need? Will I choose ‘what is better’ or will I let all the worries and distractions of life knock me off course?
“Father, let me follow your Spirit in focused living. Let me choose the ‘one thing’ every day on this earth. Thank you that Jesus shows the way. Amen.”
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3