I Must Walk On - Luke 13 31-35

I Must Walk

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”

He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.

Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’

-Luke 13:31–33

When the colluded powers sent their collaborating messengers to warn Jesus he was in trouble and that he was likely to be killed, his response was four-fold:

• I am doing works of mercy and deliverance.
• I will continue to do them until I am done.
• I will not be stopped. I will not be intimidated.
• I won’t die here, but I will keep moving toward the place of my death.

But there is a third day coming and no matter what anyone does or thinks they can do to me, I will move past it toward that day … and then, and only then, my work will be complete.

The way of the cross is the way of persistent progress. We cannot rest from the walk — even when our bodies are not in motion.

Are you tempted to take a break from the way of the cross?

“Go and tell that fox …”

Even in the flesh, Jesus is unperturbed by threats and plots.

He says, “I will keep on doing the good I am doing and I will finish my course.”

That is all that is required … to keep on doing what we have been placed here to do until such a time as our course has finished.

Neither Herod nor any other external puppet power has any power to alter the course of our lives.

Live with that confidence today.

Keep on.

Determination is when you decide when and where you will terminate your journey.

Following Jesus is an act of determination.

No termination until the place and time of determination.

Determine to do so and then, do so.

“And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.” — Luke 4:43

Is it an urgency, and emergency, or a priority?

Or … is it all three of two out of three?

Or … is it none of these?

What must you be doing right now?

The phrase, “I must” appears 16 times in the King James Version of the Bible. Jesus said, “I must preach” in Luke 4, “I must walk …” in Luke 13:33, and “I must be about my Father’s business” in Luke 2:29.

John the Baptist said, “He must increase, and I must decrease (John 3:30).”

These were driven by something greater than the urgency of the moment. Urgency is a poor substitute for purpose and priority. When we establish an understanding of what is truly important based upon God’s abiding principles and mission, we need to stick with it.

The reality is that the moment we prioritize our ministries, diversions will emerge, distractions will appear, and urgency will shout in our ears, “Stop and take care of me NOW!”

We need to be able to say “no” to urgency any time it steps outside the boundaries of our priorities as given to us by God.

Yes, there will be emergencies that must be faced as they arise. There will be extraneous details that must be handled. The problem arises when every urgent matter presents itself with the same emergency motif and both ministry and the spiritual life become one great series of emergencies.

We have fire departments to put out fires.

What is your focus?

Make sure it receives a prominent place on your calendar and that you do your best to follow your calendar.

Leave time for incidentals.

Leave cushion for emergencies.

Live by grace because you won’t meet all of your goals. But, know this, if you heed every urgent cry, you will meet none of them because your life will be controlled by something far less than your God-given priorities.

Live on purpose, directed by God’s master plan for your life.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’” — Luke 13:34–35

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
    but my ears you have opened—
    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

May all who want to take my life
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
    be appalled at their own shame.
But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;

    you are my God, do not delay. 

 

        

Whom Shall I Fear

The Do Not Listen Moses in Egypt Bible Chat Exodus 6

A Voice in the Wilderness Bible Chat John 1 19 28

Transfiguration and Transformation - On the Mountain and in the Lowlands...

Transfiguration and Transformation

“The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!” — Psalm 99:1

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:16

“Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.” 2 Corinthians 4:1

“And all were astounded at the greatness of God.” — Luke 9:43a

Sermon Outline

View it; listen, take it; borrow it, change it to suit you; preach it.

1. The View of God — Exodus 34:29–35

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face, but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off until he came out, and when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining, and Moses would put the veil on his face again until he went in to speak with him.

· A Glimpse, but

· A Glorious Glimpse -

· For Moses, the Glow

2, The Veil that Covers

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. — Luke 9:28–36

· For Moses — A Veil of Reverence

· For Jesus at the Mount — A Veil of Revelation & Reservation — Luke 9:28–36

· For Paul — a Veil Removed — 2 Corinthians 3:16 -

“…but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”

3. The Vision that Liberates

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with complete frankness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, the same veil is still there; it is not unveiled since in Christ it is set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds, but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. — 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2

· A Boy Who Was Bound — Luke 9:37–43a

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” While he was being brought forward, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciple

· A Band of People Who Were Blind — 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2

· A Body of Believers Being Transformed -

“And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit”

Holy Synergy Acts 10 1-8

What Joseph Knew that Enabled Him to Move Past the Past and Prosper

What Joseph Knew that Enabled Him to Look Past the Past and Prosper

Swanson, John August. Story of Joseph, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56562 [retrieved February 23, 2025]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, https://www.johnaugustswanson.com/.

Genesis 45:3–11, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me; do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there, since there are five more years of famine to come, so that you and your household and all that you have will not come to poverty.’

And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them, and after that his brothers talked with him.

 

My Notes

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

1. Joseph knew that people could change.

He had; his brothers may have.

We are not the same people we used to be. That is true of others as well.

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash

2. Joseph knew that God could take what people mean for evil and use it for good.

The intention of evil is not the last word about how the events of our life will pave the way for the future.

3. Furthermore, Joseph knew that all evil has an expiration date.

The old passes. The new comes.

Evil deeds and people pass away.

Psalm 37:1–11, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Do not fret because of the wicked;
 do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass
 and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
 live in the land and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
 and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
 trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light
 and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
 do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
 over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger and forsake wrath.
 Do not fret — it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
 but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
 though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
 and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

Psalm 37:39–40, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
 he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
 he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
 because they take refuge in him.

4. Joseph knew that the big picture was more important than any small flaws.

Flaws do not define outcomes or the long view. What is temporarily a hindrance, may be the gateway to new possibilities.

Photo by Collab Media on Unsplash

5. Joseph knew that the people God really uses rise above pettiness.

That was a major factor in his success. In every bad situation, Joseph bloomed wherever he was planted.

6. Joseph somehow knew that there was a different sort of life to be lived.

Later on, Jesus would expand upon this lesson, calling us to its radical implications.

JESUS MAFA. from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48395 [retrieved February 23, 2025]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).

Luke 6:27–38, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

7. Joseph knew that God gets the last word and it is Life

The doctrine of resurrection blows all preliminary assessments of success and failure out of the water.

It is the ultimate game-changer.

1 Corinthians 15:35–38, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen and to each kind of seed its own body.

1 Corinthians 15:42–50, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the physical and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven. As one of dust, so are those who are of the dust, and as one of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the one of dust, we will also bear the image of the one of heaven.

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

What will you do with this?

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