“ON THE THIRD DAY I WILL REACH MY GOAL”

Passage: Luke 13:31-35

Key verse: 32

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

The Pharisees had pitted themselves against Jesus (6:11; 7:3

; 11:53), so their warning was not likely in good faith. Either way, it had the potential to plant fear in Jesus and his disciples, because Herod was well known to follow through on his threats of violence (3:2

; 9:9). Fear tactics are often employed by enemies to get us to follow the way of this world. But Jesus was not afraid because he had resolutely set out for Jerusalem (9:31), carrying out his mission of driving out demons and healing people on the way, looking to the completion of his mission on the third day when God would raise him from the dead. Jesus would not be intimidated or allow his path to be determined out of fear. Likewise, we have a calling from God to follow. Let’s learn Jesus’ courage not to be ruled by fear in these uncertain times, where many angry voices are compelling us one way or another.

Considering his destination of Jerusalem moved Jesus’ heart to tears. As a shepherd, Jesus longs to gather them as a hen gathers chicks, but their pride and fixed idea of a political Messiah led them to reject Jesus. Jesus’ lament is therefore future oriented: hope for the day his people will welcome those who come in the name of the Lord. We share this prayer topic for Israel, and all nations.

Prayer: Father, thank you for calling me with your great purpose. Help me to courageously follow Jesus.

One Word: Live by faith, not by fear