Daily Devotions
When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51
Communities and countryside have been devastated by earthquake and a tsunami.
That one-two punch was followed up by the announcement that some of the nation’s super-safe nuclear reactors were on fire, spewing stuff — maybe radioactive stuff — into the air.
At first the warnings were mild, then they became less so. Authorities told the people to evacuate their homes. Then when the fallout increased, those who had remained were ordered to stay inside. Things really became scary when experts went on TV and started to use words like “meltdown” and “catastrophic explosion.”
Such language can strike terror into any human heart. It didn’t take long before the Japanese people took to the road. Everybody did all they could to put as many miles as possible between themselves and the radiation-bleeding reactors.
Did I say everybody?
That’s not quite right. About 180 workers at the Fukushima Daiichi plant have chosen to stay there and do what they could to stop further damage and destruction.
Now you should know, the people of Japan have always encouraged individuals to make personal sacrifices for the greater good of the community. Even so, the commitment of these men and women is already being hailed as an amazing act of bravery.
Radiation sickness, future cancers, an early and painful death: these fearful prospects were set aside as these scientists did their best to save their country, their neighbors and their families.
Their actions remind me of the Savior. In the 9th chapter of Luke, the beloved physician wrote that Jesus “set His face to go to Jerusalem.”
This also was a wonderful act of courage and commitment. While the scientists at Japan’s nuclear reactor don’t know what is going to happen, Jesus knew what would be His fate in Jerusalem. He knew His countrymen, rather than applauding Him, would plot His murder. He knew He would be beaten, spit on, whipped and nailed to a cross.
Even so, Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem.
It was there God’s Son, our Savior, was destined to pay the price for our sins and die in our stead. It was a price He willingly paid. Carrying our sins, Jesus died the death we deserved. Three days later, at His resurrection, He showed to a disbelieving world that He had been successful and He had redeemed, rescued and restored us to the family of faith.
Now, because of what Jesus has done, all who believe on Him as their Savior are forgiven, saved and are promised heaven.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord and Savior, we know we did not earn or deserve the love You showed to us when You went to Jerusalem. Even as we give thanks for Your sacrifice and resurrection from the dead, we pray that others may see the wonders of Your love. This we ask in Your Name. Amen.