Steadfastness

LUKE 9:51 "STEADFASTNESS"

INTRO: The gospel of Luke has always been my favorite gospel. I appreciate Matthew’s picture of

the King and Mark’s record of Jesus the Servant, and John’s majestic story of the eternal Son of

God. But my heart finds it’s home in the gospel of Luke. I’ll tell you why!

* It is especially the gospel of sympathy and compassion. In it we meet individual people, not

crowds. We meet Jesus, the Great Physician as He tenderly meets the needs of all kinds of people. * Luke is the gospel of sympathy and compassion, of childhood and the home.

* Of singing and weeping. Luke is the story of a journey Jesus made, a journey to the cross.

* Luke says about Jesus, "He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem."

* Steadfast means "firmly fixed." Nearly half of the gospel of Luke is devoted to the record of

Jesus’ last journey to Jerusalem. He knew why He was going there. He was going there to die.

1) WHEN JESUS FIRST TOLD HIS DISCIPLES ABOUT THE TRIP TO JERUSALEM, THEY

SIMPLY COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! * In fact, Peter took Jesus to one side & rebuked

Him. "Pity yourself Lord." Peter said, "This should never happen to you."

A) But it was true. He was going to Jerusalem, not to be crowned, but to be crucified!

B) You see, from the very beginning, Jesus was controlled by a master purpose. At the age of 12

He said to Mary & Joseph when they found Him in the temple, "Don’t you know I must be...."

C) When Jesus came down to the River Jordon to be baptized and to begin His ministry, John

cried, "Behold, the Lamb of....." Jesus Himself said to Nicodemus, "As Moses lifted......."

* He was speaking of course about the cross. Num.21:8-9

D) So when Jesus set out to make that last journey to Jerusalem, it was not as a traveler seeing

the sights of the Holy City, nor as a spectator at a religious festival. NO! He made that last

trip as God’s sacrifice for sins! He was going to Jerusalem to die for you & me &...world.

E) The more I think about it the more wonderful this journey becomes. As you walk with Jesus

through the pages of Luke’s gospel, you find Him thinking about others, not about Himself.

F) If you knew you were going to die a cruel death on a Roman cross, would you be

thinking about others? I’m afraid most of us would be thinking about ourselves, and perhaps

feeling sorry for ourselves. BUT NOT JESUS!!!

G) As He makes that last trip to Jerusalem, He pauses to teach people; to preach the gospel;

heal the sick; to give new life; and new hope to sinners!

(2) THIS IS THE MESSAGE LUKE IS TRYING TO GET ACROSS TO US! Jesus is a

friend to those in need! And He is never too busy to stop and listen to our problems and to

help us bear life’s burdens. Jesus hasn’t changed! Heb.13:8.He is never far away-He is never

too busy.

A) He is never indifferent or unconcerned. He knows about your needs & is able to help you!

Jesus steadfastly set His face to go.... This was not an easy journey for Him to make.

B) You see, for the most of it, He had to make it alone. TRUE; He had His disciples with Him,

but they didn’t understand what was happening. They were quite sure He was making a

mistake when He told them He would be rejected and crucified.

C) In spite of the fact that Jesus was facing Jerusalem alone, He steadfastly set His face and

kept right on going! THIS ENCOURAGES ME! There are times in all of our lives when

God calls us to make a journey, to do a special job & others may not understand what its all

about, and we have to walk alone, and how easy it is to quit!

D) How easy it is to argue with ourselves & turn away from the goal, to take a more comfortable

tour. It’s easier living for the devil! (1) Sinners are not tempted by the devil. (2) Sinners don’t

fight spiritual wickedness, (3) Sinners don’t stand against sin, therefore is not persecuted!

E) Jesus didn’t take an easier detour. He steadfastly set His face.....& nothing turned him away!

Look at vss.52-56. HE WAS ABLE TO SAY TO HIS FATHER, I HAVE FINISHED THE

WORK THAT THOU GAVEST ME TO DO!

F) Perhaps you are facing a difficult task. Your Jerusalem is before you, your Gethsemane,

Your Calvary. And perhaps you are saying to yourself, "I just can’t do it, the journey is just

too much for me." My friend, get your eyes off of yourself and off the road that lies before