“I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy[g] in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” Luke 4.25-30
Much is happening in this passage, but my focus is on the final verse, which ties into some interesting developments in our world today.
Jesus spoke words that the people did not like. He rebuked those who rejected Him as the Messiah in His own hometown. After Jesus connected their actions to the events during the time of Elisha, they became “furious” and drove Him out of town. Their intent was to throw Him off a cliff because of what He said. His words provoked such rage that they wanted to kill Him. Does this sound familiar? I am reminded of those killed for their beliefs—Jesus, and more recently, MLK, JFK, and Charlie Kirk.
Yet they could not destroy Him at that time. It was neither His time nor the Father’s will. As they attempted to throw Him off the cliff, “He walked right through the crowd and went on His way.” Jesus, who was God, could have called down angels, lightning from heaven, or a terrible plague on the people. But He walked away.
This reminds me of the speech given Sunday by Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika. It was one of the most forgiving, loving, and impactful speeches I’m sure I will ever hear. She forgave the young man who, in front of millions, killed her husband. She spoke with compassion, truth, and resolve. As a follower of Christ, she believes—and I agree—that her mission (and that of her late husband) is Gospel-driven.
My point? The world cannot thwart God’s plans. Period. What seems to be a loss, a death, or a step back is actually God allowing events to unfold for the advancement of the Gospel. God did not allow Jesus to be killed until He had accomplished His mission on earth. In the same way, Christians who are currently persecuted and sometimes killed for their faith are living on God’s time—not the world’s.
I’m not trying to be political here; my sole motivation is the spread of the Gospel. But Sunday’s memorial for Charlie Kirk was a worship service. Yes, some parts were political, but most of it was for the glory of God and the advancement of the truth of Jesus to be made known to the world.
We are given but one life to live—Jesus made the most of His 33 years to bring God praise. Charlie made the most of his 31. How will you make the most of yours to bring God glory?
“O Lord God, I praise You. I am so thankful for the work I am able to do for You and Your kingdom. Even when I am weak in this body of flesh, with a heart that is sometimes fickle, I pray for Your healing and strength. I thank You for the power of Your love and for the mission to make disciples of all nations. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with Your power. Allow us to be Your hands and feet as we are filled with Your Spirit to reveal Your love to a world veiled in darkness. For You are good, and Your love endures forever. Amen.”