Home Stretch

We transition to another section on our journey to knowing the mind of Christ. This is found in Luke 9:51-56 and John 7:10. Time is drawing near. The days of filling up fast. The bucket list is being completed. Next stop is Jerusalem before Jesus goes home. Now, don't be fooled. Though chronologically we are nearing the end of Jesus' ministry, we  are not nearing the end of our study of the mind of Christ. The writers guided by the Holy Spirit intend to cram much into the last weeks and months of Jesus' life that is revealed to us. I might even venture to say there is as much or more written about the last few weeks of Jesus' life than about all the rest of His life. (I am on my Journal #10, and feel like I am just getting started.)

Look how Luke speaks of this transition to Judea from Galilee. "And it came about when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem." I find it interesting that Luke's focus is on Jesus ascension and not his crucifixion and resurrection. But remember Luke wrote two books, Luke and Acts. And remember in Acts 1 Luke makes much about the ascension. The new apostle chosen to replace Judas was required to have been with Jesus from the days of John the Baptist to the ascension, the time Jesus was taken up. This is what ascension means, i.e. to be taken up. The exact word used by Luke in 9:51 is only found here. But, a similar and related word is found five times. In Mark 16:19 we are told Jesus was received up to heaven and seated at the right hand of God. In Acts 1:2, Luke marks the end of his first volume at the event of Jesus being taken up. Acts 1:11 records the actual event of his being taken up. Acts 1:22 records Peter using these bookends of John's ministry to the time of the ascension as the work of Jesus on earth. 1 Timothy 3:16, in what may be an ancient hymn, includes Jesus' ascension in the statement of faith. In all the cases His ascension is passive. He is "taken up" by God.

Hebrews 12:2 comes to mind in connection with this section. Jesus' thoughts are focused on the other side of the cross and shame to being seated at His Father's right hand. Why is this? "For the joy set before Him." As Jesus turned the last corner heading down the home stretch He was not merely focused on the painful prospect of the cross, but on the joyful prospect of His homecoming. Jesus was nearing the completion of His work on earth. The idea of the "days approaching" is one of these days being filled up. Imagine the days ahead of Jesus at this point being containers needing to be filled. Jesus is seeing these buckets being filled up, with the end in sight. Jesus' departure had to occur between Passover and Pentecost since He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit when He got home (John 16:7ff). The Holy Spirit is managing His days closely as a campaign manager might be moving the presidential candidate along the trail. Jesus is going home. But, first He has His most important work to complete. Stay tuned.