Luke 9:51

Luke 9:51 marks a pivotal turning point in Jesus's earthly ministry, signaling a decisive shift in the narrative of Luke's Gospel. Up until this point, Jesus has been primarily ministering in Galilee and surrounding regions. This verse introduces the final, resolute phase of His journey, focusing His attention and steps directly towards Jerusalem, the appointed place for the culmination of His divine mission.

Context

This verse immediately follows the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36), where Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, speaking of His "decease" (Greek: exodos, referring to His departure, encompassing His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension) which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. This divine confirmation of His path empowers Jesus to move forward with unwavering resolve. From this point on, a significant portion of Luke's Gospel (Luke 9:51 - 19:27) details Jesus's teachings and interactions as He journeys towards the holy city, knowing full well what awaits Him there.

Key Themes

• Divine Purpose and Sovereignty: The phrase "when the time was come that he should be received up" highlights that Jesus's life and destiny were not accidental but part of a preordained divine plan. His journey to Jerusalem was a fulfillment of prophecy and God's sovereign will for the salvation of humanity.
• Unwavering Determination: "He stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem" powerfully conveys Jesus's resolute commitment to His mission. Despite the foreknowledge of immense suffering and death, He did not falter but pressed on with absolute resolve. This echoes the prophetic imagery of the suffering servant who "set his face like a flint" (Isaiah 50:7).
• Sacrifice and Exaltation: The journey to Jerusalem was for His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, which would then lead to His resurrection and ascension. The phrase "received up" (Greek: analēmpseōs) encapsulates this entire climactic period, pointing to His eventual ascension into heaven, signifying both His suffering and His subsequent exaltation.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "received up" is analēmpseōs (ἀναλήμψεως), which is often translated as "ascension." However, in this context, it refers not just to the final ascent into heaven but to the entire sequence of events leading to it—His Passion, death, resurrection, and ultimate return to the Father. It signifies the completion of His earthly ministry and the beginning of His heavenly reign.

The expression "stedfastly set his face" is a powerful Hebraism, reflecting deep biblical roots (e.g., Jeremiah 21:10; Ezekiel 14:8). The Greek, estērixen to prosōpon autou (ἐστήριξεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ), literally means "he strengthened his face" or "he fixed his face." It denotes an unyielding resolve, a firm determination to face any obstacle or suffering, knowing that the path is divinely appointed and must be fulfilled.

Practical Application

Luke 9:51 offers profound lessons for believers today:

• Commitment to God's Will: Jesus's example calls us to embrace God's will for our lives with unwavering commitment, even when the path ahead is difficult or involves personal sacrifice.
• Purposeful Living: Just as Jesus had a clear destination and purpose, we are encouraged to live with intentionality, aligning our lives with God's greater plan.
• Facing Adversity with Resolve: The verse reminds us that following God may involve challenges and suffering, but we are called to face them with the same steadfast determination that Christ displayed, knowing that God is with us and our ultimate destiny is secure.

This turning point in Luke's Gospel highlights Jesus's divine nature, His obedient submission to the Father's will, and His resolute love for humanity, demonstrating His willingness to endure the cross for our salvation, a journey He had predicted to His disciples.