Luke 13:31-35 — For or Against?

READ THIS: Luke 13:31-35

31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod 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.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet 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, and you were not willing. 35 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.’”

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

In this passage, we can see Jesus beginning to grow more and more bold as He speaks to people like the Pharisees. Jesus courageously speaks against King Herod when He is warned that Herod wants Him dead (if you remember Jesus’s birth story, Herod wanted Jesus dead way back then too). In classic Jesus fashion, He tells the Pharisees that He is going to keep doing what God has called Him to do until He reaches His goal on the “third day.” If you know anything about the life and story of Jesus, you know that this is a prophetic statement about His death to come and resurrection He would experience 3 days later!

But what’s this rant about Jerusalem? Why is Jesus talking trash about the city that God’s people called home for so many years? We know that there were certainly prophets that did die outside of Jerusalem, but Jesus is ultimately trying to point out here that Jerusalem, the place often referred to as the home of God’s people, would soon be full of people who want Him dead. In the coming chapters, we will literally see the people of Jerusalem say “blessed is He,” then a few days later shout “crucify Him!”

But what does this teach us? First, we must remember that we are just as fallen and sinful as the people of Jerusalem. When we choose sin, we are ultimately making the same choice that the people of Jerusalem did. BUT, and this is the good part… Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross was for the people of Jerusalem and people like you and me! We have been forgiven and can choose Jesus despite our sin!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. In earlier chapters, Jesus wasn’t choosing to speak this boldly to the Pharisees, but now we see Jesus speaking bluntly to them… why do you think Jesus is speaking differently to them?

2. Why is it so easy to be completely for Jesus in some moments and completely against Jesus in others? How can you remember to stick with Jesus rather than turn against Him in moments of temptation?

TRY THIS:

Take some time right now to talk with Jesus and ask Him to help you be by His side today. It can tempting to be for Jesus some moments and against Him in others, so ask Jesus to help you be for Him today!

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