Deliberately Deliberately Choosing the Most Choosing the Most

Difficult RoadDifficult Road

Have you ever faced Have you ever faced a difficult road in life a difficult road in life that you did not want to that you did not want to

take?take?

There are tough choices we have to There are tough choices we have to make in life that we know will make in life that we know will bring great challenges, even bring great challenges, even

hardship to our lives. hardship to our lives.

Jesus faced the toughest road Jesus faced the toughest road anyone will ever have to face: anyone will ever have to face:

The road to Jerusalem!The road to Jerusalem!

Luke 9:51 (NASB)Luke 9:51 (NASB)

And it came about, when the days And it came about, when the days were approaching for His were approaching for His ascension, that ascension, that He resolutely He resolutely (steadfastly – KJV)(steadfastly – KJV) set His face to set His face to go to Jerusalem;go to Jerusalem;

Behold the Great Courage of Behold the Great Courage of Jesus! Jesus!

Jesus knew ahead of time the grave Jesus knew ahead of time the grave dangers that awaited Him!dangers that awaited Him!

Mark 10:32-34 (NASB)Mark 10:32-34 (NASB)32 And they were on the road, going up to 32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful.who followed were fearful. And again He And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, what was going to happen to Him, 33 saying, "Behold, we are going up to 33 saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles. death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles. 34 "And they will mock Him and spit upon 34 "And they will mock Him and spit upon Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him, and Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again."three days later He will rise again."

Behold the Great Courage of Behold the Great Courage of Jesus! Jesus!

Jesus knew ahead of time the grave Jesus knew ahead of time the grave dangers that awaited Him!dangers that awaited Him!

Jesus walked straight into the Jesus walked straight into the hands of His enemies.hands of His enemies.

John 11:55-57 (NASB)John 11:55-57 (NASB)55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up to Jerusalem hand, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover, out of the country before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Therefore to purify themselves. 56 Therefore they they were seeking for Jesuswere seeking for Jesus, and were , and were saying to one another, as they stood in saying to one another, as they stood in the temple, "What do you think; that the temple, "What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?" He will not come to the feast at all?" 57 57 Now the chief priests and the Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders thatPharisees had given orders that if if anyone knew where He was, he should anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.report it, that they might seize Him.

Behold the Great Courage of Behold the Great Courage of Jesus! Jesus!

Jesus knew ahead of time the grave Jesus knew ahead of time the grave dangers that awaited Him!dangers that awaited Him!

Jesus walked straight into the Jesus walked straight into the hands of His enemies.hands of His enemies.

Jesus purposefully chose a time for Jesus purposefully chose a time for His crucifixion when the “whole His crucifixion when the “whole world” would be watching.world” would be watching.

2,700,200 people!2,700,200 people!

John 11:55 (NASB) Now John 11:55 (NASB) Now the Passover the Passover of the Jews was at handof the Jews was at hand, and many , and many went up to Jerusalem out of the went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover, to purify country before the Passover, to purify themselves. themselves. Matt 26:2 (NASB) "You know Matt 26:2 (NASB) "You know that after two days that after two days the Passover is the Passover is comingcoming, and the Son of Man is to be , and the Son of Man is to be delivered up for crucifixion."delivered up for crucifixion."

Behold the Great Courage of Behold the Great Courage of Jesus! Jesus!

Jesus knew ahead of time the grave dangers Jesus knew ahead of time the grave dangers that awaited Him!that awaited Him!

Jesus walked straight into the hands of His Jesus walked straight into the hands of His enemies.enemies.

Jesus purposefully chose a time for His Jesus purposefully chose a time for His crucifixion when the “whole world” would crucifixion when the “whole world” would be watching.be watching.

Out in the open for all to see, Jesus made Out in the open for all to see, Jesus made claim to be King, Messiah, and “Prince of claim to be King, Messiah, and “Prince of Peace.”Peace.”

Matthew 21:1-3 (NASB)Matthew 21:1-3 (NASB)

1 And when they had approached 1 And when they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, to Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them, and bring them to Me. 3 her; untie them, and bring them to Me. 3 "And if anyone says something to you, you "And if anyone says something to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."immediately he will send them."

Matthew 21:4-5 (NASB) Matthew 21:4-5 (NASB)

4 Now this took place that what 4 Now this took place that what was spoken through the prophet was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 5 "Say to might be fulfilled, saying, 5 "Say to the daughter of Zion, the daughter of Zion, 'Behold your 'Behold your King is coming to youKing is coming to you, gentle, and , gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'“ colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'“ – Zech. 9:9– Zech. 9:9

Matthew 21:6-9a (NASB)Matthew 21:6-9a (NASB)

6 And the disciples went and did just as 6 And the disciples went and did just as Jesus had directed them, 7 and brought the Jesus had directed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid on them their donkey and the colt, and laid on them their garments, on which He sat. 8 And most of garments, on which He sat. 8 And most of the multitude spread their garments in the the multitude spread their garments in the road, and others were cutting branches road, and others were cutting branches from the trees, and spreading them in the from the trees, and spreading them in the road. road. 9 And the multitudes going before 9 And the multitudes going before Him, and those who followed after were Him, and those who followed after were crying out, saying…crying out, saying…

Matthew 21:9b-11 (NASB)Matthew 21:9b-11 (NASB)

"Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed "Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!"Lord; Hosanna in the highest!" 10 And 10 And when He had entered Jerusalem, all when He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the multitudes were this?" 11 And the multitudes were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus, saying, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee."from Nazareth in Galilee."

Why did He ride a donkey? Why did He ride a donkey? In ancient times, the donkey was considered In ancient times, the donkey was considered

a noble beast (e.g., Jude 10:4; 12:14). a noble beast (e.g., Jude 10:4; 12:14). Kings did not ride upon horses unless they Kings did not ride upon horses unless they

were going to war.were going to war. Kings rode donkeys when they came in Kings rode donkeys when they came in

peace.peace. Jesus did not ride as the warrior Messiah, Jesus did not ride as the warrior Messiah,

but instead as “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah but instead as “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).9:6).

How Did Jesus Gather How Did Jesus Gather the Courage to Deliberately the Courage to Deliberately Walk Into “the Lion’s Den”? Walk Into “the Lion’s Den”?

He understood that God was with He understood that God was with Him every step of the way.Him every step of the way.

John 8:28-29 (NASB) 28 Jesus John 8:28-29 (NASB) 28 Jesus therefore said, "When you lift up the therefore said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and am He, and I do nothing on My own I do nothing on My own initiativeinitiative, but I speak these things as , but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. 29 "And the Father taught Me. 29 "And He who He who sent Me is with Mesent Me is with Me; He has not left Me ; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."are pleasing to Him."

To obtain the joy of exaltation To obtain the joy of exaltation and victory.and victory.

Hebrews 12:2 (NASB) fixing our Hebrews 12:2 (NASB) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, perfecter of faith, who for the joy who for the joy set before Himset before Him endured the cross, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the down at the right hand of the throne of God.throne of God.

For our eternal salvation!For our eternal salvation!

Luke 19:10 (NASB) “For the Son Luke 19:10 (NASB) “For the Son of Man has come to of Man has come to seek and toseek and to save that which was lostsave that which was lost.” .” – cf. Mat. 20:28 – cf. Mat. 20:28

To Be a Christian, To Be a Christian, One Must Choose One Must Choose the Most Difficult Road on the Most Difficult Road on

Earth!Earth!

To choose the path of least resistance To choose the path of least resistance is the most popular road traveled, is the most popular road traveled,

yet it does not lead to Heaven.yet it does not lead to Heaven.

Matthew 7:13 (NASB)Matthew 7:13 (NASB)

““Enter by the narrow gate; for the Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and gate is wide, and the way is broad the way is broad that leads to destructionthat leads to destruction, and many , and many are those who enter by it.”are those who enter by it.”

Only the way of Christ will lead Only the way of Christ will lead to eternal life!to eternal life!

Matt 7:14 (NASB) "For the gate is Matt 7:14 (NASB) "For the gate is small, and small, and the way is narrow that the way is narrow that leads to lifeleads to life, and few are those who , and few are those who find it.find it.

John 14:6 (NASB) Jesus said to him, John 14:6 (NASB) Jesus said to him, ""I am the wayI am the way, and the truth, and the , and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.through Me.

TrueTrue Christians follow in the Christians follow in the footsteps of Jesus, imitating His footsteps of Jesus, imitating His example of courage and faith.example of courage and faith.

1 Peter 1:21 (NASB)1 Peter 1:21 (NASB)

““For you have been For you have been called for this called for this purposepurpose, since Christ also suffered , since Christ also suffered for you, for you, leaving you an exampleleaving you an example for for you to follow in His steps.”you to follow in His steps.”

Like Jesus, Like Jesus, We Choose the We Choose the RightRight Path Path No Matter HowNo Matter How

Challenging it May Be!Challenging it May Be!

We choose to fight the good fight We choose to fight the good fight everyday.everyday.

1 Tim 1:18-20 (NASB) 18 This command I 1 Tim 1:18-20 (NASB) 18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you made concerning you, that by them you may may fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscienceand a good conscience, which some have , which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over to Satan, so that they may be delivered over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.taught not to blaspheme.

Hebrews 10:35-39 (NASB)Hebrews 10:35-39 (NASB)35 Therefore, do not throw away your 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.may receive what was promised. 37 For yet 37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38 But My come, and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. him. 39 But we are not of those who shrink 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.faith to the preserving of the soul.

We choose to be godly at We choose to be godly at allall times.times.

2 Tim 3:12 (NASB) And indeed, 2 Tim 3:12 (NASB) And indeed, allall who desire to live godly in Christ who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus Jesus will bewill be persecuted. persecuted. – –

cf. John 15:19-21cf. John 15:19-21

We choose what is right, We choose what is right, eveneven if we lose if we lose

the approval of our family or friends.the approval of our family or friends. Matt 10:34-37 (NASB) 34 "Do not think Matt 10:34-37 (NASB) 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 "For I came to set a man against his father, "For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and 36 and a man's enemies will be the members a man's enemies will be the members of his householdof his household.. 37 "He who loves father 37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.than Me is not worthy of Me.

We choose to preach the truth, despite We choose to preach the truth, despite

losing favor by some of our brethrenlosing favor by some of our brethren..Gal 1:10 (NASB) For am I now seeking Gal 1:10 (NASB) For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? striving to please men? If I were still If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.bond-servant of Christ.Gal 4:16 (NASB) Have I therefore Gal 4:16 (NASB) Have I therefore become become your enemy your enemy by telling you the by telling you the truthtruth??

We choose to preach the gospel at the We choose to preach the gospel at the

risk of rejection or even death!risk of rejection or even death!

Acts 8:4 (NASB) Therefore, those Acts 8:4 (NASB) Therefore, those who had been scattered went about who had been scattered went about preaching the word. preaching the word. – cf. Acts 6:8-8:4– cf. Acts 6:8-8:4

We We CanCan Choose Choose the Right Path Each Day the Right Path Each Day When We Fix When We Fix

Our Eyes on Our Eyes on Jesus!Jesus!

Like Jesus, we put our faith and Like Jesus, we put our faith and trust in the Heavenly Father.trust in the Heavenly Father.

1 Peter 2:21-23 (NASB) 21 For you have 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NASB) 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you also suffered for you, leaving you an an example for you to follow in His stepsexample for you to follow in His steps, , 22 who committed no sin, nor was any 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;righteously;

Like Jesus, we keep our eyes on Like Jesus, we keep our eyes on the joys of Heaven that await us.the joys of Heaven that await us.2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NASB) 16 Therefore 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NASB) 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, lightlight affliction affliction is producing for us an eternal is producing for us an eternal weight of glory weight of glory far beyond all comparisonfar beyond all comparison, , 18 while 18 while we lookwe look not at the things not at the things which are seen, but which are seen, but at the things which are at the things which are not seennot seen; for the things which are seen are ; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.are eternal.

Like Jesus, we are moved with Like Jesus, we are moved with compassion for lost souls and make compassion for lost souls and make

personal sacrificespersonal sacrifices to share the gospel. to share the gospel. Matthew 9:36-37 (NASB) 36 And Matthew 9:36-37 (NASB) 36 And seeing the multitudes, seeing the multitudes, He felt He felt compassion for themcompassion for them, because they , because they were distressed and downcast like were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.but the workers are few.

With Resolute Heart, With Resolute Heart, Let Us Each Day Let Us Each Day Choose the Right Road, Choose the Right Road, the Way of Jesus Christ.the Way of Jesus Christ.