On the road again. That’s where Jesus and his disciples were, on the road again “going up to Jerusalem” (Mark 10:32). Jerusalem, the city which was remembered for the best of times — those days past when they made the trek to worship and to offer sacrifices. But also the city which increasingly threatened the worst of times, as the hostility toward their leader by those who ran the city increased. What was it to be on the road again with Jesus?

As I’m hovering over my reading in Mark this morning, to follow Jesus was to be astonished, amazed, and afraid.

Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

(Mark 10:24-27ESV)

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, He began to tell them what was to happen to Him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise.”

(Mark 10:32-34 ESV)

Those who followed were afraid . . . That’s what first caught my attention this morning. They were going to Jerusalem, and they were afraid. They were following Jesus, and they were fearful. And with good reason. Though one day we would reign in Jerusalem, today was not that day. Instead, in Jerusalem, He would soon be delivered, condemned, mocked, spit upon, flogged, and killed. Jesus knew it. He wanted His disciples to know it. And, apparently, they were starting to get it. For they were afraid.

So why follow? Why sojourn towards such certain suffering? Because they were amazed. Amazed at Jesus’ readiness to enter the city. Astounded by how determined He was to enter Jerusalem’s gates when others would understandably flee. Amazed because, as Luke puts it, Jesus “set His face” to go to Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51). The destination had been punched into His divine GPS and there was no re-routing to be considered. They were amazed because the One who they increasingly believed truly possessed “the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68) had resolutely set His course towards certain death.

So why follow? Because they were exceedingly astonished. The more they were picking up what Jesus was laying down, the more they were compelled to follow where Jesus led. Difficult to enter Jerusalem? Yeah. More difficult to enter the kingdom? Apparently. Impossible even? Could be. But not with God. For all things are possible with God. That’s why they followed. The God who makes all things possible makes even walking into Jerusalem plausible.

Astonished and amazed and afraid, oh my!

On the road again. Going up to Jerusalem. Or, wherever He leads.

By His grace. For His glory.