City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”

And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

Luke 13:32-35

Reflection

We do not know much about these pharisees, how straightforward this warning was, or their full intent. My guess is they were trying to control Jesus through fear, since, after John’s death, everyone knew what Herod was capable of. When Jesus inevitably moved along, they would undermine him as a coward who wouldn’t stand up to power. “Some messiah,” they would say.

Jesus, once again, responds to the supposed trap masterfully. He shows how unafraid He is by demeaning Herod’s power, but also explains that he plans to continue moving from town to town. He is not staying where he is, but because of mission, not fear.

In the subtext, however are dramatic prophetic hints. Here we see:

1. Jesus predicts his “perfection,” that is, resurrection from death, on the third day.
2. Jesus foresees his arrival in Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna” (Psalm 118:25-26).
3. Jesus foreshadows that he will be killed in Jerusalem
4. Jesus openly laments that Jerusalem/Israel is rejecting their messiah, and the horrible destruction that is coming — Rome will destroy Jerusalem and the Temple a generation later.

Application

Jesus was not concerned about Herod’s threat. He was in obedience to the Father in everything that He said and did, and He knew that nothing could thwart His Father’s plans.

God’s plan cannot be stopped by human threats, demonic opposition, worldly systems, or even our old enemy, Death. If you are on mission with Him, then nothing can stop you.

Prayer

Father, help me walk in confidence, knowing that Your purpose for me will not fail.