JESUS’ SORROW FOR JERUSALEM

Passage: Luke 13:31-35

Key verse: 34

NIV

Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem(A)(B)

31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod(C) 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.’(D) 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet(E) 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,(F) and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate.(G) I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’[a]”(H)

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 13:35 Psalm 118:26
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Lament over Jerusalem

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from (A)here, for (B)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 (C)I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, (D)I (E)must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that (F)a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34 (G)O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that (H)kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! (I)How often would I have (J)gathered (K)your children together (L)as a hen gathers her brood (M)under her wings, and (N)you were not willing! 35 Behold, (O)your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, (P)‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. '’I must press on’' (31-33)

The Pharisees told Jesus, 'Run for your life!' They came to Jesus and reported Herod’s threat to kill him. However, Jesus would not be bullied by Herod or the Pharisees. He had the power and authority to heal people and cast out demons. Furthermore, Jesus would not waver from doing the will of God though it meant going to Jerusalem and dying on the cross for the sins of the world. Followers of Jesus must have his love and his obedience and press on.

2. God’s tender love (34-35)

God loved his people so much that he sent one prophet after another in order to bring them back to himself. Jesus says, 'How often I have longed to gather your children together….' This is how much God loved Jerusalem and it is how much he loves us. He longs to embrace us and love us as his own. Although Jesus was rejected and crucified, his love has prevailed. He rose from the dead. One day he will come again. On that day his people will cry out, '’Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’'

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and obedience.

One Word: Come to the God who loves you