Journey to Jerusalem: Up Hill All the Way

The Journey to Jerusalem is up hill quite literally. Pilgrims to Jerusalem must ascend from the valleys that surround the city.

During Lent, we are mindful that the Journey to Jerusalem leads to another hill near Jerusalem -- a hill called Calvary. Jesus is very clear that his path to Jerusalem is a path to betrayal, suffering, death -- and resurrection!

Luke 18:31-34

Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.” But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Lord Jesus,
I still do not understand:
Why was it necessary
for you to die is such a way?
I mean --
Is God really so blood thirsty
that only Your blood shed would win my salvation?
Since all the earth belongs to God,
to whom did a ransom need to be paid to win my salvation?

Don't get me wrong:
I know very clearly I need a savior!
I CANNOT save myself;
Lord, you know I've tried.

But did it have to be YOUR suffering and death?
Or is my salvation even won in death?
Salvation comes not from your death alone,
but salvation comes in death and RESURRECTION!
Those two always come as a pair in your story don't they.
Death and resurrection!
Gruesome cruel death and glorious victorious resurrection!
Good Friday's cross and Easter Sunday's empty tomb!
Lent's Kyrie and Easter's Hallelujah!

Lord,
this Journey to Jerusalem
is up hill all the way.
It's a hard path,
like a runner pushing through the hardest mile,
keep our eyes focused
on the cross ahead
and the empty tomb.
Amen.

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At Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church, we are committing to journey the 6,150 miles from Elizabethtown, NC to Jerusalem, Israel in our walking, running, swimming, cycling, etc.

Track your miles, share them here, and join us on the Journey to Jerusalem.

We will post those miles online and on our banners in the sanctuary and in our fellowship building. Together we will make our journey to Jerusalem!