Who is Jesus like? V. 51 Jesus completely obeyed to fulfill God's will in God's timing. He started this journey of obedience to perform the great exodus (9:31) through his cross, resurrection, and ascendance in Jerusalem to call and gather his people (up to 19:44). Because Jesus knew that there will be suffering before glory, he needed determination to faithfully obey God's will. And he stayed true to his mission through deep fellowship with the Father, overcoming Satan’s temptation to take an easy way out. Vv. 52-56 Because of their hostility against Jerusalem, people in Samaria did not welcome the company of Jesus headed to Jerusalem, but the Lord faithfully gave them compassion and love. The disciples considered them as objects of judgment (2Ki 1:9-12), yet Jesus saw them as hurt and isolated people that needed to be healed and saved. This was the time of grace for sinners to be saved, not the time of judgment (4:18-19). V. 58 Because Jesus believed that his home is in heaven, he lived as a stranger, always prepared to leave. Many people followed him and praised him, trying to tie him to this world, but he did not exchange this for the glory of being the Lord and the king of the kingdom of God. Like the disciples of Jesus, who was homeless on this earth, we are also called to the way of pilgrimage. Am I so anxious about my worldly expectations, that I don’t have room for hope?
God, help me to not to look back, but make an obedience to you as my first priority.
