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In motorcycle operation classes, instructors teach students to avoid obstacles on the road by focusing on the direction they want to go and not on the barrier. Wherever one’s eyes are focused, their body and vehicle will follow. The natural tendency is to look at the obstacle. However, if a driver directs their face toward the hindrance, they are more likely to collide with it. To evade obstructions, one must set their face towards the open path. The Bible references this practice in a figurative sense. Luke 9:51 states, “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, [Jesus] set his face to go to Jerusalem” (ESV).
The phrase “set his face” in the original language means “to resolve or fixate one’s face.” This expression alludes to positioning or orienting one’s face firmly in a specified direction. With unwavering determination to complete the final, excruciating leg of His mission, Jesus set His face on the open, unobstructed path—“the joy that was set before” in heaven at God’s right hand—and He “endured the cross” «looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. », (Hebrews 12:2, ESV). Luke’s resolute depiction of Jesus Christ focused on the target, completing His mission, echoes Isaiah’s portrayal of Israel’s suffering Messiah: “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame” «For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. », (Isaiah 50:7).
FlintFlint is a very hard stone mentioned throughout the Bible to symbolize strength, determination, and hardness. In Isaiah 5:28, flint is used in a simile to depict the toughness of horses’ hoofs. The term flint is also employed figuratively to convey the hardness of an insurmountable task (Deuteronomy 8:15; Psalm 114:80) and the unwavering determination (Ezekiel 3:8-9).
Luke 9:51 signifies a crucial moment in Luke’s Gospel. From this point on, the journey to Calvary becomes clear and prominent (see Luke 13:22; see Luke 17:11; see Luke 18:31; 19:11,28). Some refer to this extended section as “Luke’s travel narrative” (Luke 9:51—19:27). Jesus Christ would face His most difficult days of humiliation, disgrace, and betrayal on His path to the cross for our sins. His journey to heaven would involve overcoming obstacles like Gethsemane, Golgotha, the grave, and the guarded tomb. He would endure arrest, torture, and a painful death. Isaiah foretells His suffering: “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6; cf: Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:19; Luke 22:63). Instead of turning away, Jesus remained resolute in His purpose. He was as unyielding as flint.
Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem to fulfill God’s plan for His life. Obedience to His Father’s will was fundamental to Christ’s life and mission.(Matthew 26:39; John 4:34; John 6:38; John 14:31; Hebrews 10:9). He came to suffer and die, offering His life as a sacrifice for sin so that all who believe in Him might be saved and granted eternal life (Isaiah 53:3-10; Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10; John 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 1:10). If Jesus had not set His face to go to Jerusalem in selfless obedience to God’s plan of salvation, He would never have accomplished the redemption of humanity (Romans 5:18-19; John 17:2-4).
Christians are called to continue Christ’s mission on earth today (Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:12; John 20:21). The apostle Paul teaches us to avoid stumbling blocks on our route by keeping our eyes on the “eternal prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; NLT). Paul oriented his face toward the finish line in heaven: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).
As Christ set His face to go to Jerusalem, believers must overcome the obstacles of sin by fixing their gaze on Jesus, who is seated beside God in heaven.aven: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a large crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us remove every burden that slows us down, especially the sin that easily entangles us. And let us run with perseverance the race God has set before us. We achieve this by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2;NLT).
