Waxing on Flint

As we approach Palm Sunday, I have been thinking about the determination of Christ as He made His way to Jerusalem, knowing what He would face. Going up at Passover to be The Passover Lamb for the sins of the world. Scripture says He set His face like a flint to accomplish the will of the Father. The will of God for man to be redeemed. The prophet Isaiah wrote of this coming Deliverer, The Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord, 700 years before He came. He wrote of the redeeming work of the Cross.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken,smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53)

We who are in Christ are redeemed and called to follow Him...Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12)

We cannot stop! We cannot quit! We cannot shrink back in fear as the enemy lines up against us! We must set our faces like flint! Be determined to press on and finish the course! Will it get tough? Probably...but when it does, just remember what Christ endured.