“At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” 32 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.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! 34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Luke 13.31-35
Jesus was not going to be thwarted. He was going to fulfill his mission. Even if it killed him.
Actually, that was the plan. He was born to die. His goal was to usher in the kingdom of God, call people to repent, bring people back to God and then die for the sins of the world. In addition, he would rise again, be ascended into heaven, send the Holy Spirit and make a way for all people who believe to be saved. With his ascension and pouring out of the Holy Spirit, the Church would take birth — God’s agent in the world. Through her (the church) the Kingdom of God would come to earth.
Even when the Pharisees told Jesus to run and hide because Herod wanted to kill him, he refused. He alluded to his three days in the grave — “I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the THIRD DAY (my emphasis) I will reach my goal.” Well his goal involved conquering death. Makes my goals seem pretty lame!
Then Jesus laments for Jerusalem. This is God’s chosen city and God’s chosen people and He loves Jerusalem. But they have rejected Messiah and the prophets sent before him. But, “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” We do not deserve Jesus! Nor do we deserve his love, forgiveness and grace.
The world has and will continue to reject the Lord Jesus. Many world religions claim to be the way but each one fails gloriously. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormonism all claim to hold the keys to heaven but none have a God who chooses and loves his people, sends his Son to died for their sins, and then gives them His Holy Spirit Presence as a guarantee for what is to come.
Today is the day for us to choose Christ. To follow in his footsteps. To find our way by adopting his mission as our own. We are called to love him, serve him and be the hands and feet of the One who suffered, died and rose again that I might have abundant life today and eternal life to come.
“O Lord God, you are a good and loving God. Even when I sin and turn away from you, you reach out to me and draw me back. You claim me as your own and call me by name. I am your child and celebrate the power of the cross. Thank you loving me, for the power of your Spirit and for your grace. I praise you God and glorify your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen