39. Undeterred from his mission.

'Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made ... Though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own but his own did not receive him.' (John 1:3,10-11) At Nazareth they drove him out of the town and wanted to throw him down the cliff because he claimed to be the Messiah. (Luke 4:29) At Jerusalem they wanted to stone him because he claimed to be equal to God (John 10:31-33) Here is a man who was opposed and cornered by his enemies at every turn but often slipped away from their hands because his time had not yet come. (John 7:30) But when the 'time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.' (Luke 9:51) 'From that time Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things ...' (Matthew 16:21) Peter tried to put some sense into him but was rebuked. Nothing would deter him from his mission! "In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day - for surely no Prophet can die outside Jerusalem."( Luke 13:33) You will be surprised to know how many will oppose you on our way to your destiny. Be resolute to reach there for you cannot die outside your destiny! 'Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.'( Hebrews 12:3) Amen.