by Tim Hall

"So where you headed, son?" The driver looked at the old service station attendant in disbelief. Couldn't he see? Anyone could tell this young man was on a journey; his car was packed with laundry baskets and boxes full of clothes and pillows. A car in Kansas with New Jersey tags was another clue that a traveler was present. But written on virtually every window of his car were the words "California or Bust!" Where was he headed? Wasn't it obvious?

Jesus wasn't driving a car in Luke 9, but his destination was nonetheless obvious. In verse 51 Luke wrote, "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (New King James Version). Verse 53 reiterates the point: "But they [the Samaritans] did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem."

There are many details Luke doesn't reveal, but one comes through clearly: People around Jesus knew where He was headed. How He conveyed that message is not clear: Did they know it simply because of His physical stance, the things He said, or by some other means? That mystery must remain unsolved for now, but no one wondered whether Jesus would be staying in town.

One other fact recorded by Luke makes this episode more noteworthy: Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem even though He knew it would bring opposition. The prejudices of Jews and Samaritans toward one another is well known. At times, Jesus broke through the strong walls of Samaritan bias by showing unusual compassion and patience (John 4 is a good example). But on this occasion, Jesus did not hide the fact that He was traveling to the hub of Jewish faith. As a result, the old fires of hatred were rekindled among the Samaritans.

It would be good for us to reflect on the direction toward which our faces are set. Paul spoke of the importance of this in Colossians 3:1,2: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." Far too often, Christians allow the world to condition them, and their focus is found on earthly things. Their faces are not set toward God, and their lifestyles indicate it. But those who set their minds on things above will demonstrate with their values, their words and their actions that heaven is their intended destination. People of faith ". . . declare plainly that they seek a homeland" (Hebrews 11:14) that is not of this earth.

A price will have to be paid for standing out from those around us. Peter acknowledged this in 1 Peter 4:4: "In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you." Like the Samaritans who shunned the Lord for the direction in which His face was set, others may shun us because we are so otherworldly. But heaven will be worth any price we have to pay.

Evaluate yourself carefully. In which direction is your face set?