No ordinary journey - no ordinary traveller.

 

As I write we are in the season of Lent, with Easter on our minds - I wonder what Easter means to you?

For many Easter means holidays; schools are off for a while, we have a long weekend courtesy of two Bank Holidays (although the number who have to work is far greater now) roads and airports will doubtless be very busy.

Maybe you are preparing for a journey yourself; somewhere exotic or simply taking the opportunity to visit family of friends.

 

During Lent we think about a journey, the journey Jesus Christ made to Calvary’s cross.

It could be argued that His whole life was that journey, it was always the destination for His time on earth, however, I think of His journey to the cross beginning in earnest at a point recorded in Luke 9: 51,

 

“Now it came to pass, when the time had come for

Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set

His face to go to Jerusalem,”

 

Today we might set our Sat-Nav to our destination or book a ticket to our chosen location - Jesus “steadfastly set His face” - that was where He was going; he was determined..

 

Now, our Easter journey may not be without problems; roadworks, diversions, cancellations, and recent events suggest that strikes may hinder our progress too. However, at journey’s end we have something to look forward to; a sunny beach; maybe walking in the hills or simply enjoying the company of those we’ve gone to visit.

If our journey’s end held the prospect of crucifixion, we might be glad of every hold-up that caused a delay in reaching our destination; there wouldn’t be anything pleasurable to look forward to, so let the journey stretch out.

 

With that in mind the words of Hebrews 12: 2 (KJV) might surprise us,

“Looking unto Jesus……who for the joy that was set before

 Him, endured the cross, despising the shame…”

 

The JOY set before him?; as a new Christian these words spoke to me unlike any other scripture previously had. That which was set before Him was death on a cross, how could there be joy?

For Christ Jesus there was joy, in knowing that His death on the cross marked finished work; His own words confirmed that, “It is finished.” (John 19: 30)

He had fulfilled the will of the Father, securing the eternal hope of all who put their faith in Him; all of this because God so loved the world, the world that He created, and couldn’t see man face eternal separation from Him through sin.

 

Whatever you are doing this Easter I hope that you will take some time to quietly reflect upon Christ’s journey to the cross, a journey of far greater importance than any we will ever make. A journey that He took for each one of us that believe in Him; put our faith in Him and recognise Him as King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords.

 

Jesus Christ, who saw joy set before Him in crucifixion, in the knowledge that we would be saved through His suffering.

 

Have a blessed Easter.