Set Your Face Like Flint

There was a continual emphasis in the mind of Jesus – not merely on doing God’s work but on finishing it, on leaving it not incomplete, going right through to the very end with it. The nearer He came to the end of His earthly ministry, the stronger this emphasis was in the life of Jesus.

Let’s look at a statement in Luke chapter 9, verse 51:

“And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, [literally His ‘being taken up’, and that, of course, was His being taken up through His death on the cross] that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem.” (NASB)

Notice that key phrase: "He resolutely set His face." He knew what lay ahead of Him. He had already told His disciples, although they refused to believe it. But as it came nearer, He resolutely set His face – He was determined to finish it. This reminds us of a portrait of Messiah from the Old Testament – from Isaiah chapter 50, verses 4 through 7, where, by the Spirit of Christ in him, the prophet Isaiah prophetically foreshowed the culmination of the life of Jesus on earth. This is what Isaiah writes:

“The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, [or the tongue of a disciple. You see, Jesus was the disciple of the Father.] to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, He wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” (verse 4, NIV)

You see, Jesus was always in the school of discipleship with the Father. Day by day He received His directions for that day when He heard the Father’s voice speak to Him at the beginning of the day. Then the passage continues:

“The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.’ (verses 5-6, NIV)

It’s very important to see that Jesus gave His back to those who beat Him. He freely gave it because it was the Father’s will, the Father’s direction. He heard the Father tell Him, "That’s what I sent you to do, My Son." So He did not withhold Himself. He gave Himself. Then the passage continues:

“Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” (verse 7, NIV)

Luke 9 says, "He resolutely set His face." Isaiah, prophetically writing 700 years earlier, said, "I have set my face like flint." Jesus knew what He was going to have to endure. In fact, it was already written in the verses of Isaiah: "I offered My back to those who beat Me, My cheeks to those who pulled out My beard, I did not hide My face from mocking and spitting. I’ve set My face like flint. No matter what lies ahead, I’m going to go through with it because My purpose is to do the work that God has assigned to Me and to finish it."

Jesus was determined to finish the race and to finish the work, even to the cross. Take time to ponder over this today.