Pastor Taylor Shippy - Luke 9:51-62
“The world behind me, the cross before me; no turning back…” That’s Jesus’ mentality going into our reading this morning, along with the reminder of Luke’s Gospel. The momentum has taken a cosmic shift. The continental divide of the narrative is slanted perpetually towards one fixed point: Jerusalem. Where a cross awaits Jesus. All roads now lead to that ancient city. Cause the time is nearing for Jesus’ departure. His crucifixion. His resurrection. His time to be ‘taken up’ (9:51a).
And Jesus has made up His mind to face His destiny. He has - Luke says - “set his face” (9:51b, NRSV). From this point on, in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus will be ‘facing’ Jerusalem and all that awaits Him. His mission His sole focus. Everything else in the rearview mirror. ‘No turning back…’ And the question our text asks: How about everyone else that’s tagging along and following Him… Including you and I?
