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Thus far I have thought about the point of no return in its negative application - crossing a line into an irreversible commitment to the "dark side" of life. But the phrase can have an equally positive application. The phrase, "point of no return", implies an irrevocable commitment regardless of outcome. Whether it applies to the take-off roll of an aircraft or to the unswerving and unchanging dedication of a Christian disciple, there is that sense of commitment come hell or high water.
The life of Jesus is a case in point; actually, it is THE case in point. I can think of no greater example of this absolute commitment. But was there one specific place or time when Jesus passed the point of no return; the point from which there was turning back?
Was there a time in pre-history when, as the eternal Son of God, Jesus committed Himself to make the journey from heaven all the way to the cross? The Bible certainly speaks of such a reality (Rev. 13).
Was Jesus' birth into our world His PNR? Having committed Himself to be born through the virgin Mary, there was no way He could go back.
Maybe His point of no return was His baptism? Was it not there that He identified with the human race He had come to save? And then there was the temptation in the wilderness following His baptism. Surely His obedience to His Father at that time constituted a strong commitment to "no turning back".
For my part, I think Jesus passed through a series of "points of no return" - probably each of the above. But, for me, the one event that marked Jesus' PNR more than any other was the experience that we call the "Transfiguration" (Luke 9). I believe this to be a pivotal point ('the' pivotal point?) when it comes to the commitment of Jesus to go to the cross and to the resurrection.
At Jesus' baptism His Father spoke from heaven confirming that His sinless Son was fully qualified to be the Saviour of the World. At Jesus' transfiguration His Father spoke again, this time confirming that His Son was still the Chosen One without sin. Further on in this chapter we read:
As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 NLT
Given His sinlessness, I believe Jesus could have ascended into heaven right from the Mount of Transfiguration. But it was at this point that He resolutely set out for Jerusalem and the sacrificial death that awaited Him there. This was His point of no return.
It is only by His example and His empowering presence in my life that I am able to make that kind of commitment and, more to the point, maintain that kind of commitment.
