In the Chronological Bible commentary for today is written "Jesus refuses to accept the role that most people want him to play."   Even today do we want Him to be something He is not - just to satisfy our own concept of who we think He ought to be?

Scripture says that Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. His entire being was focused on the job He had to do in Jerusalem. 

When the people in a Samaritan village refused to welcome Jesus, the disciples James and John (the sons of thunder) wanted to call down fire from heaven but Jesus rebuked them. Jesus had no problem rebuking even His disciples.

The ten lepers according to Jewish law had to go show themselves to the priest to be declared to be officially clean, by going through ceremonial washing. This declaration of being clean was not made easily or quickly. See the Leviticus rules (all of chapter 14 - pages 253-254) They are specific and lengthy. The nine Jewish lepers were doing what Jesus told them to do by going to show themselves to the priest. 

The man who came back to thank Jesus was the only Samaritan of the group. Of course he didn't have to go through the ceremonial cleansing that the Jews were required to do, but isn’t it ironic that the only one who came back was a Samaritan? It was a Samaritan village who had not welcomed Jesus and the disciples earlier.

Jesus pronounces "woe" on the towns of Korazin (north of Capernaum) and Bethsaida (on the shores of the Sea of Galilee east of Capernaum).  The towns undoubtedly had heard Jesus' message and refused to believe.  Jesus said judgment will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon because they did not hear the message from Jesus.  They will be judged based on what they knew or what was revealed to them.  

When the 72 returned they were filled with joy.  Jesus said to them, “…rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit. Their joy was genuine for all the right reasons. They had been obedient!

Just imagine, if we are full of joy through our obedience, then Jesus is full of joy because of it and He praises God, the Father. Filled Jesus with joy lately???

“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
This sounds like a contradiction. Didn’t He earlier say that we must take up our cross and follow Him? How then can it be easy and light? The word "easy" means it is "well fitted". Whatever He asks us to do is a job well fitted just for us. He never asks us to do anything that He doesn't "fit" us to do. If we are well fitted for a job, the burden is not burdensome. It is light. 

In the story of Mary and Martha, what was it that Jesus valued most? Martha was busy “doing”. Mary was devoted in her "listening" to the words of Jesus. We do that today through worship, Bible study, and prayer.

“…everyone who asks receives…”
What was He referring to in the asking? Later on He says “…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Asking doesn't always mean physical, earthly things.  If we ask for more of Holy Spirit power we must be willing to let the Holy Spirit "run the show".

Jesus walked on Solomon's Colonnade during the Feast of Dedication. Solomon’s Colonnade was a two-story roofed portico (porch) on the east side of Herod’s Temple. It was a part of the outer courtyard. This was most likely the place where Jesus later stood during His trial before the crucifixion when He looked at Peter as Peter denied Him.

It is here that Jesus proclaimed that His sheep are those who believe in Him, listen to Him and follow Him.

“…no one can snatch them out of my hand…”  (See also 2 Corinthians 1:22)
Praise God our salvation is secure with Him!