Up To Jerusalem

When we read this, our mind is naturally drawn to the crucifixion, but is that all the passage says? What about the prophecy contained within what He says?

Now He took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that have been written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.’
Luke 18:31 NASB2020

Within this verse is the promise that we will be given an example of how total obedience to the will of God leads to glory and a resurrected body. That’s not all. It is also connected to this prophecy from the Book of Isaiah which gives a deeper insight into this process.

The Lord who hides His face from Jacob (Israel) appears with the children that God has given Him. Then a great light dawns and shines on those who turn to Him (those living in the valley of the shadow of DEATH.)
Paraphrasing Isiah 8:11 – 9:5

The Lord (or Messiah) turns away from Israel and appears with a new group of people (children). “Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are for signs and wonders in Israel […]” v.8:18. In chapter nine Isaiah then transitions to describing who and what the Messiah will be.

_⁶For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
_⁷There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7

A little later in the book of Luke (22:39-46,) after Jesus has prayed and sweated blood, he admonishes the disciples to avoid further temptation. They don’t realize that Jesus has just opened the door for us to access, to know, and to carry out the will of God. The only thing that blocks our way is the temptation to see only sorrow when we look at the world. We have to realize that we are “the children whom the Lord has given me” (Isaiah 8:18.) chosen by God the Father to continue Christ’s work of being a Light in a dark and chaotic world.

So, let’s go up to Jerusalem and receive our glory.

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