| Luke 13:31-35 |
| 31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’” |
| Jesus is still in Galilee and has more work to do there – he’s a man on a mission. The Pharisees are telling him that (Herod) the same guy that had John the Baptist killed is going to kill him next – whether to scare him in or out of Galilee is not clear, but Jesus is NOT going anywhere on their schedule. He’s still on his mission to drive out demons, call for disciples and heal the sick until he’s good and ready to sacrifice himself on the third day in Jerusalem, where all prophets go to die. Jerusalem sure has its legacy on this point … and, Jesus knows this … and he still goes to Jerusalem to do his Father’s will, and to save all of us! The final verse “you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,’” to me, further affirms we are only saved by our faith in Christ. Prayer: Dear Lord, help us continue to build upon our faith in you, your works, and your Word, so that we may be worthy of your love and continuing blessings. —Jim Thomson |