Once again, we find ourselves in the midst of those days immediately prior to Easter, known as “Holy Week.”

The name itself seems to be in-congruent with the events surrounding Jesus’ last days of ministry as a man. The chief priests and pharisees have redoubled their efforts to destroy Him, and erase the threat that they perceive Him to be. They were correct in their perception. Jesus was indeed a threat to their works-based religion, and was after replacing it with a grace centered relationship between Himself and all who would believe in Him.

And yet Jesus continued His ministry in spite of the efforts of those who tried to destroy Him and His ministry. It is wonderfully apparent that the words of Isaiah hundreds of years earlier have come to pass: “For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, and know that I will not be ashamed” 50:7 (see also Luke 9:51).

Jesus was determined — not merely determined as we might be to accomplish a goal — He was determined to the point that His whole self was oriented toward Jerusalem, and the cross that awaited Him there. Setting His face like a flint, is a was of saying that His determination to do the will of His Father is irrevocable. To do so would destroy both Himself and His ministry, as it crumbled like a crushed flint stone.

In spite of all that He dealt with during this “Holy Week,” Jesus accomplished much as He continued to have the goals of His ministry at the forefront of His thoughts and actions. More than a dozen events are recorded on the Tuesday before His crucifixion, all the while the cross loomed larger and more ominous as Thursday approached.

Jesus certainly knew what lay ahead; He knew the eminent conclusion of this last week as a man. This is the most (for me) powerful statement of His love and loyalty to the Father; He knew, and He came anyway. Or, better yet, He knew, and because He knew, He came.

He came for those over whom He wept as He overlooked Jerusalem. He came for those who crucified Him. He came for those who spat upon Him, and for those who beat Him so mercilessly. He came for the Mary’s and the Peter’s. He came for you, and praise God! He came for me.

Rev. Bobby Thornhill is a retired pastor.