Something about this trip was different. Passover was just over the horizon as Jesus began his yearly walk from Capernaum to Jerusalem, headed some 125 miles over winding paths through Samaria, Jericho, and Bethany.

Nestled on the edge of Galilee’s large lake and a Roman trade route, Capernaum was home to Peter and Andrew. This basalt village had also been a home to Jesus for the last three years as he traveled around the small villages circling the lake in Galilee, teaching at homes, hills, and synagogues.  

But now it was time to leave.

Jesus knew this was going to be his last Passover. He’d been telling his students this as they shouldered their bags and set off on the long journey south to Jerusalem. The sunrise reflected across the lake and the roads filled with fellow pilgrims—families and friends laughing and talking as they followed the rocky shore toward the fishing village of Magdala and the green cliffs of Mt. Arbel.

It was probably along the lakeside dirt path that three different people stopped Jesus, asking about becoming his students. Everyone around the Galilee knew about Jesus, the rabbi! They wanted to walk with him, too, but first, they wanted to go back home for a bit. “I'm going to go bury my father first,” said one. “I need to spend time saying goodbye,” said another.  

Jesus’ answer at first seems cryptic. “Let the dead bury their own dead!” he tells the would-be-students along the road. (Luke 9:57-62)

But this was Jesus’ last trip to Jerusalem—the clock til Passover ticking. There's no time for long goodbye feasts or a week of sitting shiva and mourning the dead. While Jesus does care about families and mourning, this trip was different. He’s essentially telling them, “It’s now or never. If you want to be my student, let’s start walking together.”  

His invitation echoes to us today.  

Holy Week, with everything it holds, is coming in a few short weeks. The way to Jerusalem and the cross is calling to us.  

Let’s follow Jesus as he sets out for Jerusalem... What places and people does he linger with during his last month? What’s on his mind as he travels toward the cross? And what does all this mean for our own journey to Easter this Lent?  

Stay tuned as we trace Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem!