Thursday, March 4, 2010
Luke 13:31-33 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day-- for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!"
DETERMINED TO KEEP GOING
Over the last several weeks, athletes participating in the Olympic Winter Games have been skating across rinks, sliding down hills, and skiing against the clock. It is amazing what some of them can do, but what is more amazing is the determination they have shown in their training to get to the Games. I look at myself and think, "Would I want to spend eight hours a day for four years getting ready for a three minute skate? The answer would be 'no.'" But the athletes answer, "yes," and for many of them, there is nothing that can keep them from their ultimate dream of reaching the world's stage. They bounce back from poor health. They recover from injuries. They overcome mental struggles. They keep on going no matter what.
Jesus too prepared for His big moment with determination. His "Olympics" so to speak came on Good Friday where on the cross He carried the full weight of our sins. He spent the three years of His ministry readying Himself and His disciples for what was to come, and during that time there was nothing that could cause Him to lose sight of the goal toward which He was heading. He would go to Jerusalem, no matter what the cost, and carry out the task His Heavenly Father had given Him to do. We draw comfort and inspiration from His words, "I must keep going."
Even when the Pharisees told Him that His life was in danger, He did not falter in His determination to complete His mission. He would not be intimidated by earthly threats.
Today's troubles and threats do not intimidate Him either. You may not have threats on your life, but there may be other things that threaten your well-being. These things do not worry the Lord the way they worry you. He will come and be with you and will accomplish His goal of bringing you to His heavenly kingdom. He is determined to do that for you just as He was determined to go to the cross for you.
