Did Jesus Know His Death Was Coming?
Welcome to Day 274 of our journey with Jesus. Today, we consider what Jesus calls us to question in our beliefs or lives. The main truth for today is this: Jesus' deliberate journey to Jerusalem challenges the belief that his death took him by surprise. Let’s begin.
Current details of the journeyView the calendar, Episode and passage
Jesus in Action
Luke 9:51–62
Step 4 of 5
Examine what Jesus calls us to question in our beliefs or lives.
Nang malapit na ang araw para bumalik si Hesus sa langit, nagpasya siyang pumunta sa Jerusalem. Kaya pinauna niya ang ilang tao sa isang nayon ng mga Samaritano upang humanap ng matutuluyan. Ngunit ayaw siyang tanggapin ng mga tagaroon dahil alam nilang papunta siya sa Jerusalem. Nang malaman iyon ng mga alagad ni Hesus na sina Santiago at Juan, sinabi nila kay Hesus, “Panginoon, gusto nʼyo po bang humingi kami ng apoy mula sa langit para sunugin sila?” Ngunit lumingon si Hesus at pinagsabihan sila. At tumuloy na lang sila sa ibang nayon. Habang naglalakad sila, may isang lalaking nagsabi kay Hesus, “Susunod po ako sa inyo kahit saan.” Ngunit sinagot siya ni Hesus, “May mga lungga ang mga asong-gubat, at may mga pugad ang mga ibon, ngunit ang Anak ng Tao ay walang sariling tahanan na mapagpapahingahan.” Sinabi ni Hesus sa isa, “Sumunod ka sa akin.” Ngunit sumagot siya, “Panginoon, pauwiin po muna ninyo ako upang maipalibing ko ang aking ama.” Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Ipaubaya mo sa mga patay ang paglilibing ng kanilang patay. Ngunit ikaw, humayo ka at ipangaral ang tungkol sa kaharian ng Diyos.” May isa ring nagsabi kay Hesus, “Susunod po ako sa inyo, Panginoon, pero hayaan nʼyo muna po akong magpaalam sa pamilya ko.” Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanya, “Ang nagsimulang mag-araro ngunit lingon naman nang lingon ay hindi kapaki-pakinabang sa kaharian ng Diyos.”
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Luke does not portray Jesus as a victim who unknowingly walks into Jerusalem. He “set his face” toward the city as the decisive time approaches.
Watch: Why Jesus Set His Face Toward Jerusalem with Purpose
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
The Cross Is Not an Accident.
Later events will involve betrayal, injustice, violence, and human guilt. None of that becomes good. Yet Luke’s framing prevents us from concluding that Jesus simply lost control of His mission.
Power Is Not Retaliation.
James and John want fire against a rejecting village. Jesus rejects their response. The road to Jerusalem is not a campaign of revenge against everyone who refuses Him.
Discipleship Cannot Be Perpetually Deferred.
The would-be followers reveal another assumption: that Jesus can be taken seriously later, after other priorities are settled. His answers expose that delay can itself become a form of refusal.
The Deliberate Savior.
Jesus’ journey confronts a reduced picture of Him as merely a tragic teacher swept up by events. He goes forward knowingly, and His own words must interpret the road.
Consider this.
Which assumption does Jesus confront in you?
Examine your assumptions
Reject the idea that Jesus stumbled accidentally into the final events of His mission.
