Radically Purposeful: The Determination of the Savior

---

RADICAL #3

Pastor David Staff

Radically Purposeful: The Determination of the Savior Luke 9:51ff

Danut Codrescu, main contributor to AthsLife.com, reminds us of something very remarkable that happened almost 50 years ago. The Olympic Games Mexico 1968. The first Olympic Games ever to be held in a Latin American country. And, the marathon – a 26 mile, 385 yard run against the world -- is the final event on the program. i It was one of the hottest Sunday afternoons of Mexico City when men’s marathon started at 3:00 pm local time. Out of 74 participants, 17 could not finish the race. In the early parts of the race, John Stephen Akhwari cramped up due to the high altitude of Mexico City. Somewhere around 12 mile mark, the Tanzanian was jockeying for position between some runners and he was hit. He had taken a horrible fall early in the race, whacked his head, damaged his knee, and endured a trampling before he could get back on his feet. Despite his injuries, John Stephen Akhwari pressed on and continued despite being asked by the medical staff to quit. The time, 7.00 P.M. The closing ceremonies had just been completed. The spectators and athletes, still warm from the euphoria of the celebration, were gathering their belongings to leave the stadium. The winner, Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia, finished the race an hour before. Down the boulevard came the whine of police sirens. From their vantage point, many in the stadium could see motorcycles with their flashing blue lights, encircling someone making his way toward the stadium. A lone runner having the leg bandaged and bloody, wearing the colours of Tanzania had just emerged through the stadium gate. It was John Stephen Akhwari, who was in obvious pain and hobbling towards the finish line. Limping, the Tanzanian found the last of his endurance to step up his pace and finish the race. [But the question was "Why?"] Why did he continue to race if he was so badly injured? John Stephen Akhwari said this: “My country did not send me over 7,000 milesii to start a race. They sent me over 7,000 miles to finish one.”iii Determination. That's what it looks like. The Urban dictionary defines it this way: Determination is simply not giving up. No matter how hard things get, or how badly you want to just give up, you keep on going. Sometimes...when it seems like what you’re going for is just out of reach, sometimes you tell yourself if what you’re trying to get is worth the great amount of effort that you put in it. When things get hard, you start thinking that its not worth it... but let me tell you this, the more pain and suffering you put into something, the better it'll feel when you get it. This 2017 Easter season, we have been worshipping our RADICAL Savior. His cross and his history-changing resurrection was radical – right at the root of his Father's plan. His whole life was 1|P a g e

of RADICAL #3

radically rooted in that plan, and His heart was radical in its humility. You see these things when you read the gospels – the steps and decisions of His life. And you see this: Jesus stunned his disciples with his DETERMINATION; along the way, he invited them to experience/embrace it. For just a moment, set your eyes on Luke 9:51 (p.868) When the days drew near for him to be taken up, He set his face to go to Jerusalem. You could almost miss this verse as just a bunch of extra words. But it is hardly that. The phrase "set his face" – so personal -- could hardly be more graphic. It means to "establish something as fixed, unalterable, and unchangeable." • • •

The prophet Ezekiel told Israel over and over again that God had "set his face" against their idol worship (Ezk.6:2), against the immoral daughters of God's people (13:17), against the sinful, wayward inhabitants of Jerusalem (15:7). Jesus used this word to describe the "chasm fixed between heaven and hell" so that no one can, once in either, can go to the other place Paul told the Thessalonians that God is determined to "establish" their hearts blameless in holiness before Him (1 Thess 3:13).

It's the Greek phrase for "determination." So, here's the question: As he obediently began traveling to Jerusalem, what kind of radical determination did Jesus model for those of us who follow him?... I. Jesus was determined to minister to and reach people For 12 chapters, Luke's account finds Jesus moving purposefully toward the city of Jerusalem ...not necessarily in a straight line, but purposefully moving in the regions of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea...looking to reach as many people as possible with the message of the Kingdom. Sometimes, he goes where the reception isn't so great. Luke 9:52-56 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.

Luke 9:52

Then, the Lord appoints 72 followers out, two by two, to reach more and prepare the way After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Luke 10:1

2|P a g e

of RADICAL #3

Along the way, when the Pharisees and Scribes were breathing down his neck about his love for sinners/tax collectors, Jesus tells three parables (Luke 15:1-32) – one about a shepherd who would not quit on one lost sheep in 100, a second poor woman who would not quit on one lost coin, a third about a father who would not stop waiting and praying for the moment that his foolish son returned home. Then he goes and finds Zacchaeus in a tree and insists on spending time with him and turning his life around (Luke 19). "I came for this!" he said. DETERMINATION to minister to and reach lost people. II. Jesus was determined to grow His disciples in a lifestyle of ministry and trust As Luke researched what happened during Jesus' early life (cf. Luke 1:1-4), to write this account, it seems he could have included so much more. What he did include where many incidents in which Jesus was determined to shape the lives of those following him. For example: Luke 10:38-42 (p.869 ESV) – Martha, distracted by all her preparations, not choosing the best Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 38

39

Luke 11:1-13 (p.869) – Disciples: to pray and have confidence in prayer Luke 12:8-12 (p.871) – to be willing to acknowledge Christ before me Luke 12:22-34 (p. 871) – to trust God to care for you Luke 12:35-40 (p.872) – to serve the Lord faithfully, realizing his return could be at any moment Luke 17:1-4 (p. 876) – to be alert to temptations to sin and to repent/forgive one another when sin occurs In his book, THE RADICAL DISCIPLE, John R.W. Stott (now with the Lord) looks us in the eye. One common way of avoiding radical discipleship is to be selective: choosing those areas in which commitment suits us and staying away from those areas which will be costly. But because Jesus is Lord, we have no right to pick and choose the areas in which we will submit to his authority.iv Though modern "moral" philosophers offer us It all depends on where you are, It all depends on when you are, It all depends on what you feel. It all depends on how you feel. It all depends on how you're raised It all depends on what is praised. 3|P a g e

of RADICAL #3

What's right today is wrong tomorrow Joy in France, England in sorrow It all depends on point of view Australia or Timbuctoo In Rome do as the Romans do If tastes just happen to agree Then you have morality.v Our Lord has a greater "determination" with us than this...it is to share his convictions and priorities, to grow us into Himself, in to way of thinking about following him, a life of ministry, a life of conviction and trust. III. Jesus was determined to destroy the works and power of His enemy Luke 10:17-20

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Luke 11:14

Luke 13:10 (p.872 ESV) Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” 13And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. John put it this way (1 John 3:8): Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. IV.

Jesus was determined to present Himself as the One (Messiah) sent from the Father

Luke 19:37 (p.878 ESV) As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” 4|P a g e

of RADICAL #3

And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” 41

Philip Yancey: "At that moment, with several hundred thousand pilgrims assembled in Jerusalem, it looked for all the world as if the King had arrived in force to claim his rightful throne. Jesus himself had mixed feelings during the clamorous parade. Luke reports that as he approached the city he began to weep. Voices who shout Hosanna! one week can shriek "Crucify him!" the next."vi

• • • •

DETERMINED – "he set his face to..." Minister to and reach people Grow his disciples in ministry and trust Defeat, by the Spirit of God, the power of Satan Present Himself as the Messiah sent from the Father V. Jesus was determined to accomplish the Father's plan to drink the Cup from His Father Luke 22:35-46

Luke 22:39 (p.882) And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, You can tell, here, that Jesus is feeling the toll of his "marathon." And yet the worst was yet to come. Think of the pressure the Savior was under? Think of the heaviness of his heart? Think of what was as stake if he "didn't finish"? And yes, think of what the finish would demand of him? His prayer is incredibly instructive. "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me!" Ever prayed a prayer like that to God? "Please, God...I wonder if YOU are willing to take this cup, remove this thorn, take away what's ahead." He was (vs.44) in agony; sweating profusely. Yet that was not all he prayed. "Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done." He knew...He knew that His Father did not send him to start...but to finish. Our LORD was radically purposeful: Jesus stunned his disciples with his DETERMINATION; along the way, he invited them to experience/embrace it.

5|P a g e

of RADICAL #3

CONCLUSION What is your Heavenly Father determined to do in your life because you are His disciple? What's he calling you to experience and embrace? Is there someone He is calling you to pray for, care about, and share with? Calling you to a determined putting out of the "welcome mat" toward Christ...because like the Savior, you are determined to minister to and to reach someone who is lost? Are there ways the Lord is determined to grow you as His follower – things you can read about and ponder in Luke's account. More of "God making your day" as you spend time with Him in dependent prayer. Perhaps out of those times with Him, a greater courage to acknowledge the Lord Jesus in your life, with those you know. Or perhaps taking new steps of serving – making a greater investment in kingdom work, because you are aware of the Lord's soon return. Perhaps there are strongholds in your life – some way in which Satan has kept you bound up – and you know that your Savior, your Lord, can free you from being "stooped over" (perhaps for years-in your private life, in your marriage...that area that you know needs the unique power of Jesus). We belong to a very determined Savior, and Lord, who wants to finish in our lives what He started. And the best time to give Him access to us, is during the days when He finished what His Father sent him to do. Copyright 2017 © David A. Staff All Rights Reserved

i Danut Codrescu: This was one my of my favorite inspirational stories, Akhwari being repeatedly asked to quit, but he did not give up. Even though his body was exhausted and in pain, his competitor passed by one by one, Akhwari’s spirit was unbreakable, being determined to end what he proposed. The Tanzanian never won any Olympic gold medal, but for me he became the greatest example of never-give-up spirit. He proved me that we should remember where the finish line is and even though we stumble and fall, we must have the power to raise up and continue, grit our teeth, push through the pain and step by step move closer to the finish line. Life is like a marathon, don’t give up and you can achieve something great, something that may inspire others! ii The distance he noted he spoke in kilometers, "over 11,000 kilometers" iii http://www.athslife.com/2014/05/john-stephen-akhwari/ iv http://www.wtsbooks.com/common/pdf_links/9780830836840.pdf v cited in Abraham Edel (1908-2007), Ethical Judgment (The Use of Science in Ethics). vi Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew, 189-190.

6|P a g e

of RADICAL #3