Another Look by David Faust

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” (Luke 13:31-33).

In the Gospels the Pharisees often opposed Jesus, but this time it appears they wanted to do him a favor. “Quit marching toward Jerusalem,” they warned. “You’re a marked man. King Herod wants you dead.”

But Jesus responded with courage and a humorous metaphor. “Go tell that sly old fox he doesn’t intimidate me. His threats won’t alter the mission I’m pursuing or the path I’m walking. I’m going to keep preaching the truth and healing the broken. And when someone finally kills me, I will not die as an accidental martyr but as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world!”

Jesus was determined to press on even when the journey would take him to the cross. Rejection and ridicule couldn’t stop him. Danger and difficulty wouldn’t detour him. He was determined to keep going today and tomorrow, and “on the third day” (perhaps alluding to his resurrection) he would reach his goal.

“Press on” is a capsule statement of Jesus’ personal marching orders, and it’s a message of hope for us today. It offers encouragement for anyone who has grown weary in well-doing. “At the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Press on.

“Press on” is the Lord’s word of comfort to the parent exhausted by a toddler’s endless energy or a teen’s emotional drama. It’s his exhortation to workers worn down by the daily grind, and to ministers and elders when the burdens of leadership seem to outnumber the joys. “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Press on.

It’s the Lord’s exhortation to the teacher whose lessons fall like stones against a brick pavement instead of seeds on fertile soil. It’s a firm nudge to the discouraged businessman worried by an uncertain economy and a tough job market. Press on.

It’s a reminder to the spouse whose marriage is threatened by the pain of infidelity or the slow death caused by inattention and boredom. Don’t give up on a love that has meant so much to you. Press on.

It’s the Lord’s steady prompting to the student tired of school—who doubts his own abilities and views graduation as an impossible dream. Press on.

It’s the Lord’s admonition to formerly-bold Christians who have allowed their faith to wane and their gifts to go unused. It’s his command to lifeless churches that have become lax about the Great Commandments and lazy about the Great Commission. Don’t forsake your first love (Revelation 2:4). Press on.

It’s the Lord’s tender word to the weary soul considering suicide—who doubts life is worth living and desperately wants to relieve the pain. No matter how wretched things may seem, God cares. “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:18).

Don’t give up, even when the foxes of doubt try to intimidate you. Don’t let faithless friends or nagging naysayers shape your attitude and set your direction. Journey on till you reach the goal. Keep going till the Father welcomes you home. Don’t quit today or tomorrow or the next day.

Press on.