Today’s readings: Luke 11-13, Psalm 119:73-96
Luke 13:31-35
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
It becomes clear very quickly that the Pharisees, chief priests, and other Jewish leaders see Jesus as a real threat. The devil has had his turn, taking his best shot in Jesus’ temptation. Then come his minions, as demons confront Jesus again and again.
By chapter 13, Jesus can summarize what he has been doing: “I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.” Interestingly, Luke records no further actual exorcisms after this.
But the opposition to Jesus continues. This isn’t the first time religious leaders have questioned or challenged his ministry, and it won’t be the last. What’s interesting here is that the Pharisees invoke Herod: “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”
That’s remarkable, because Herod Antipas is the one who imprisoned John the Baptizer and eventually had him put to death. Are these Pharisees really trying to protect Jesus? Luke doesn’t tell us. But whether their warning is sincere or intended simply to get Jesus to leave, Jesus will not be diverted.
“Go and tell that fox,” he says.
Jesus knows the score. Herod’s power extends only as far as God allows. Jesus has a mission to complete, and it is God’s mission. Neither Herod nor any other human being will stand in the way. Jesus will continue his work until he reaches his goal.
He speaks of “today and tomorrow, and the third day.” Those words certainly resonate for those of us who know what awaits him. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, and he knows where that road leads.
And it saddens him deeply.
But notice the source of his sadness. Jesus longs to gather Jerusalem’s people “as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.” “And you were not willing!”
That’s the tragedy. The one they reject is the very one who longs to gather them to himself. They will have their way—but what a terrible loss that will be.
Yet rejection will not have the final word.
One day Jesus will ride into Jerusalem hailed as the one who comes in the name of the Lord. And one day every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Every knee. Every tongue.
Under duress or in praise?
We who call him Lord today will bend our knees in joyful praise, celebrating God’s faithful goodness and the eternal salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ.
Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.
Click the image below to watch the Bible Project video for the second half of Luke’s gospel. Or click this link: https://bibleproject.com/videos/luke-10-24/
Please Note: The Bible Project video suggests that the institution of the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic meal. Jesus, however, never uses the word symbol. And throughout the ages Christians have celebrated this meal as a life-giving meal of salvation, receiving as Jesus says, his body and blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins.
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