Jesus sets His face to Jerusalem


Faithful Waiting, Heavenly Citizenship, and the Heart of Christ

Scripture Readings:

  • Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 – God's covenant with Abram
  • Philippians 3:17-4:1 – Our citizenship is in heaven
  • Luke 13:31-35 – Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem

Lent is a season of journeying—toward deeper trust, transformation, and ultimately, the cross. Each of today's readings speaks about a journey: Abram's journey of faith, Paul's call to walk as citizens of heaven, and Jesus’ road to Jerusalem.

At the heart of these passages is a call to trust in God’s promises, to live not as those consumed by the world, but as people who belong to Christ, and to open our hearts to the love and longing of our Savior. 

Abram was in a place of waiting. God had promised to make him a great nation, yet he was still childless. Doubt crept in, and Abram asked, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless?” (Gen. 15:2). God responded with a reaffirmation of the promise: “Look toward heaven and count the stars… So shall your descendants be” (Gen. 15:5). And in an act of deep trust, Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). Yet, the fulfillment of the promise was not immediate. Abram had to wait. He had to trust. The covenant ritual that followed—a mysterious and solemn moment where God alone passed through the sacrificial pieces—confirmed that God's promise did not depend on Abram's strength but on God's faithfulness.  this is often our Lenten struggle: Can we trust God's promises even when we do not see them fulfilled? Can we, like Abram, believe even in the waiting?
 

Paul, writing to the Philippians, contrasts two ways of living:

1.     Some live as “enemies of the cross”—their focus is on earthly things, their “god is their belly” (Phil. 3:19). They live for themselves, for pleasure, for the immediate.

2.     But we are citizens of heaven. Our hope is not in earthly things but in Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body (Phil. 3:20-21).

Paul encourages the Philippians to stand firm in the Lord (Phil. 4:1), just as Abram stood firm in faith, and just as Jesus did when He set His face toward Jerusalem. This passage reminds us that our true home is not here. We belong to Christ. Our lives should reflect His love, His sacrifice, and His kingdom.  During Lent, we are invited to examine our hearts: What are we living for? Earthly comfort or eternal truth?Are we setting our minds on the cross, or the fleeting desires of the world? 

In the Gospel, the Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill Him. But Jesus is unshaken. He knows His mission, and nothing will deter Him: "I must be on my way because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem." (Luke 13:33) Then, in one of the most heartbreaking moments of Scripture, Jesus laments over Jerusalem: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34). Here we see the heart of Christ. Even as He walks toward suffering, He is moved by love. He longs to gather His people, to protect them, to save them. Yet, they reject Him. This is the tragedy of human history: God offers love, but we so often resist.

Jesus' lament is not just for Jerusalem; it is for all of us.

  • How often have we resisted His call?
  • How often have we chosen self-reliance over trust?
  • How often have we lived as if this world is our home, rather than our hearts being set on heaven?

And yet—Jesus continues toward the cross. His love is relentless. He does not turn away, even from those who reject Him. These three passages present us with a Lenten challenge:Will we  Like Abram, trust in God's promises even when we do not see them yet? Will we, like Paul, live as citizens of heaven rather than being consumed by the world? Will we, like Jerusalem, resist His embrace or will we open our hearts to Christ’s love? Lent is a time to step forward in faith, even in the unknown. It is a time to stand firm in the Lord. It is a time to let Christ gather us under His wings, surrendering our fears, doubts, and worldly distractions to Him. 

In this season of Lent, let us:

  • Trust in God’s promises, even when they seem distant.
  • Live as citizens of heaven, fixing our eyes on Christ.
  • Let Jesus gather us into His love, rather than resisting His call.

And as we continue this journey toward the cross, let us remember: Jesus' love never wavers. Even when we doubt, even when we stray, His arms remain open. May we be willing to come to Him, to trust Him, and to live in the hope of His eternal promises.
Amen.

 



 

 

 


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