The Most Joyful Journey: Knowing Christ

In our salvation story we’ve read that Jesus was on a journey. He had left the northern region of Galilee and was headed south toward Jerusalem. He was determined to go to Jerusalem because he knew that it was there where he would suffer and die according to the predetermined plan of God in order to offer himself up as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of the world. 

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul describes three legs that marked Jesus' journey. First, it began with the setting aside of his divine prerogatives, submitting himself to the will of the Father. The second leg of the journey led to his suffering, becoming obedient to death on a cross. Finally, it would end in his glorious exaltation, being raised from the dead. 

Paul compares his own spiritual journey to that of Jesus. In fact, it is the path marked out for all Christians. During Holy Week we’ll consider these three legs of this most joyful journey.

We begin with Jesus setting aside his divine prerogatives. He submitted himself to the will of his Heavenly Father. So too, in Philippians 3 we read that Paul set aside anything that could have been considered personal gain for something so much better, knowing Christ. There is no more rewarding passion than pursuing greater intimacy with Jesus. 

To help us in that pursuit, God has commanded the practice of fasting. Christian fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food, we set it aside, for the purpose of greater intimacy with Christ. John Piper has said, “Fasting is when we hunger for God more than we hunger for the food God made us to live on.” If you are able, join us this week in a church-wide fast as we embark on this joyful journey together.