February 6, 2008
Peripheral Vision
READ: Luke 9:51-62
Now it came to pass, when the time had come for [Jesus] to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem. —Luke 9:51
Peripheral vision enables us to be aware of our surroundings while remaining focused on our destination. What we see from “the corner of our eye” can be useful, unless it distracts us from our goal.
During the weeks leading to Easter, as we think about the cross, we may be struck by our Lord’s purposeful approach to the city where He knew crucifixion and resurrection awaited Him. “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” (Luke 9:51). From that moment on, Jesus’ eyes were on the cross. Every obstacle to accomplishing His Father’s will became part of His peripheral vision.
When a man professed an interest in following Him, Jesus told him: “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (v.62). The issue was probably not the man’s family (v.61) but his focus. We can’t move ahead while looking at what we’ve left behind.
Neither cries of “Hosanna” nor shouts of hatred could deter Jesus from His goal “to give His life a ransom for many” and to pay the price to set us free (Matt. 20:28).
Where is our focus today?
Then obstacles get in their way;
But if they’ll focus on the Lord,
They won’t be led astray. —Sper
ood 
orning, 
us.