on June 12, 2014
Luke 13:31-35 – At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, `I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day–for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! “O 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, but you were not willing! 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.'”
By this time in His ministry the Pharisees were growing more oppositional toward Jesus. It is obvious they really did not want Him in their territory. (If you don’t receive Christ, it’s quite likely you don’t want Him around and will try to get rid of His influence). Their scheme to drive Him out was to scare Him with a threat that HEROD wanted to kill Him. Truth be told, Herod may well have wanted to kill Him, but these Pharisees detested His presence and His influence as well. A leader in their party may have dreamed up this tactic that they thought might get rid of Him. “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” How does Jesus deal with this threat? He replies, “Go tell our glorious king that I apologize if I’ve offended him and I will do my best to please him from now on.” NOT! On the contrary, He says, “Go tell that fox… (and whoever put you up to this).” A fox is known for his craftiness, treachery and preying (not praying), and this is how Jesus rightly identifies the man that took the life of John the Baptist! Tell that FOX, “I will drive out demons, heal people… and I will reach my goal.” The King of kings is not threatened or hindered in fulfilling His mission, the will of the Father. Nor should WE!
In these few brief words Jesus communicates that nothing can hinder His mission and that it will not be a lengthy time until it is complete. He knew that He must die and that it was soon at hand, but any threat of death would not influence His decisions. Nothing will override God’s providential plan and purpose for His Son! He will keep on going until He reaches Jerusalem – “for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” He may well have said, “Herod can do me no harm because my time has not yet come, and Jerusalem is to be the place of my death!” Jerusalem – the city of peace, the people of Christ’s longing! He says, “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings…” We cannot help but picture a mother hen, knowing that her young ones are in danger, clucking to her chicks, calling them to the safety and protection of her wings! “But you were not willing!” Independent, rebellious and ignorant of their plight, the chicks refuse to heed the call and take advantage of the salvation that is so passionately offered.
The result of this rejection of Christ will mean desolation. Jerusalem will be forsaken, abandoned and laid waste. “Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” this people has gained the reputation of killing God’s prophets and stoning those He sends to rescue her. Their wicked behavior will soon experience the inevitable consequences and will leave her DESOLATE! The Temple, in spite of it being richly adorned and frequently attended will soon lose both of these attractions in its destruction. Jerusalem has ruined its day of opportunity for salvation and will not recognize it until it is too late! Let us not take the same rebellious and ignorant attitude toward our merciful Savior and suffer the same dire consequences!
Thursday: Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
Friday: Pray for the families of the week: Paul & Karen Rose (Cora, Paul, Shayne, Irene), Dave Sanford, Bob & Alison St.James (Matt, Kelly).
Saturday: Listen! Can you hear the tender, passionate voice of the Savior calling you to the shelter of His wings?
Sunday: Attend the House of Worship, ready to HEAR God’s Word and put it into practice.
Monday: Give thanks for God’s promise of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Tuesday: Allow God’s Word to bring you to faith and repentance!
Wednesday: Make salvation the most important thing – for you and others!
Prayer Challenge – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling– even the LORD, who is my refuge– then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; – Psalm 91:1-11