"He set his face to go to Jerusalem" Luke 9.51. It was at about this time that Jesus gave further warning of His betrayal. As they walked towards Jerusalem His disciples argued with one another about who was the greatest among them. Is it difficult to imagine that scene? No wonder they were blind to His warnings. His most trusted friends were competing for leadership. A little further on Jesus rebuked James and John for wanting to destroy the Samaritans who refused Him hospitality. As they drew near to Jerusalem it was the disciples who tried to stop mothers bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing and a little further on, it was apparently the disciples who tried to hinder Bartimaeus from receiving his sight. Jesus showed His clear determination to do His Father's will by going to His death on Calvary. Yet as He walked He had time for the needs of those around Him. Have we? What are our thoughts as we walk with the Lord?

There are one or two marked contrasts among those who watched Jesus' final walk from the Praetorium to Golgotha. While Jewish leaders stirred up the people to shout 'crucify Him', the women of Jerusalem wept. Those same religious men taunted Jesus as He hung on the cross, the 'disciples' ran away but some women from Galilee stood round the cross. Various people reacted in different ways to Jesus. How would we have responded to Jesus as the Son of God died as a criminal?

How are we responding to Jesus? It was not our privilege to walk the roads of Israel with the Son of God. Sometimes privileges are not appreciated until they have vanished. The little things we do for Jesus' friends, we do for Him. When we rebuff them, we rebuff Him. Jesus told us to turn the other cheek to our enemies but He never told us to turn our back to our brethren. Embrace the opportunity today while we may ‑ tomorrow may be too late and we shall walk alone.

DN