Steadfast Love

Steadfast Love

Luke 9:51 (NASB)

51 “When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined [steadfastly] to go to Jerusalem.”

    For years, skeptics doubted the existence of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who sentenced Christ to death by crucifixion. That changed when an inscription bearing Pilate’s name was excavated in Caesarea; and in December 2018 a ring discovered fifty years ago in the ruins of the ancient fortress of Herodium was thoroughly cleaned, revealing Pilate’s name. Pilate’s existence in history is no longer doubted, but he could never have sentenced Jesus to death had not the Savior been willing. Jesus said, “I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:17-18).

    Jesus constantly pointed His disciples toward the cross as the ultimate purpose for which He was living. The redemption of the human race demanded an innocent sacrifice, the shedding of blood, and the power of the Resurrection. That’s why He steadfastly set His face toward Jerusalem.

    In view of that, should we not steadfastly set our faces to follow Him wherever He leads?

    Tim LaHaye said, “The cross of Christ is the only power that can transform the life of anyone who will bend their knees before it and receive the Savior which it represents.”