Luke
13:31-35 – Jesus refuses to flee from Herod
As Jesus is headed toward Jerusalem. We see that His
followers confront him. Who want to distract Him from going up to the city. The
reason that they do not want Him to go to Jerusalem is that wicked King Herod
has given a threat. There is a bounty on Jesus. Herod seeks to destroy Jesus. He will have Jesus arrested and possibly
killed if Jesus sets foot in that great city.
Yet Jesus is completely in control of His destiny. Herod will
not have his way with Jesus. Despite his threats. The Savior withstands the
temptation to flee from the presence of King Herod. As a result. He is able to
stand up to an enemy.
Before his conversion. Saul was breathing out murderous
threats against the Lord’s disciples.
The LORD Jesus on the road to Damascus would confront him.
It was the Lord Himself who said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to
proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I
will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15)
In your life, it is the same LORD Jesus who has promised to
order your days and directs your path despite what might threatens you.
As we continue our Lenten theme “Facing Life with Jesus,” today we focus on the matter of facing an
enemy. By the example, Jesus you will learn how to stand.
Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory.
Grant us grace at all
times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the
true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the
blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to
come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.[2]
As you approach a city. Say for example, Long Island City in
Queens. You can observe the glow of the city by night. Miles away. If you
approach that city in daylight. The skyscrapers are visible. Also at a great
distance.
The same is true when you are traveling through mountains.
When visiting Phoenix. The peaks of the mountain are visible from a great
distance. Miles before you get there.
Many a general. In times of war. Has gazed over a city before it is taken in battle.
Just prior to the events of the last week of His life.
Events, which resulted in His death. Jesus stood looking over the city of God.
That holy city. -Jerusalem. Notice how quickly Jesus turns to lament. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills
the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!” The city that has lost its way. The city that rejected Him. The city that has
abandoned itself. You can hear Jesus’
pain.
Jesus was moved to tears as He as He looked over Jerusalem.
For He knew that it was there that he would be betrayed. Arrested. Charged. Condemned.
And killed.
By these words of Jesus. Choked and mixed with tears. We find
the yearning. Wooing. Longing. Pleading
heart of God.
1. Jesus cried, “How often” –V.34 Consider His anguish. The story. From Noah
to Jesus. Is a message of the LORD’s patience. His grace. Time and again. The
people reveled and rejected the Lord of life. As for Noah. The world had become
so corrupt that it was about the die from within.
Having once destroyed the world by a flood the Lord waited
patiently. Sending one prophet after the other. Who spoke to the people saying,
“Repent and be saved!” “Turn back to Me and live!” Yet the
message of the prophets was too much for the people to hear. Their message was
too hard. So they killed the prophets. And stoned those the Father sent. “How often!” Jesus cried. Had the Father
sent them only to have His message fall on deaf ears?
2. “Gathered” – V.35 The Father sent those
prophets. So that He could gather for Himself a holy and righteous people.
Jesus says, “How often
I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under
her wing.” Love gathers. Unites.
Solidifies. And reconciles. That was the intention. Which the Father had for
this world. He sent His son. To reconcile the world to Himself. To bring man
back to God.
What is the purpose? The priority of church today? Is it a
gymnasium? Where we develop our spiritual muscles? Where work at becoming…Better
than others.
The Lord calls us to be faithful. This does not mean living
an improved better life.
Being faithful is more than “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.”[3] We are fallen creatures. Poor. Miserable
sinners. We find ourselves living in a broken world. Outside of Eden.
Being faithful is simply trusting. Believing. And clinging to
all of the Father’s promises.
Might I suggest we are rather a hospice? Offering comfort and
aid and healing for hurting and troubled souls.
By our very name, “Friedheim”
are we not a secure home? A sheltered harbor. Where the Lord’s peace is
expressed?
What is the purpose of the church today? Its purpose is to
bring people back to the Savior. To a safe-haven. For people to find
reconciliation. And peace with a forgiving and loving Father.
The Father calls. “Come
back to Me.” That is the message of the church. – Come back!
Come back to God. Return. Receive the Father’s mercy and
forgiveness.
3. What moved Jesus to
tears? Hear His cry.
“And you would not!” –V.34 Such is
the tragic rebellion and opposition of man to God.
In spite of ten plagues. And the pleadings by Moses and Aaron.
Pharaoh would not let God’s people go. In spite of all the Father’s urging.
Jesus ultimately was crucified and killed.
4. The result of that rejection is
clear. Jerusalem would be forsaken.
– V.35 Jesus says, “Look, your house is
left to you desolate.” Such is the awful consequence of rejecting the
Christ of God. You are simply left to your own devises. Left to do what one
wants. To look after oneself. Without any help from another. That is autonomy.
That is unmitigated independence. It can also lead to a death-sentence.
What do these words of the Savior say to us today? The Savior
in mercy has looked at you with love and concern. In response to the Savior’s
mercy and grace.
We serve our neighbor with compassion. For what is grace?
Receiving what we do not deserve. What is mercy? Not receiving what we deserve.
Jesus tenderly called, then. He still calls today. – To the
whole world. To the people of the United States. To the state of Indiana. To
Decatur. And to you.
He tenderly calls to the young and old. To those of every
generation. And to the multitudes. He tenderly calls you to repentance. To
faith and to Himself – The narrow door. The narrow way!
Come to Him and pray. Invite and bring your friends.
Neighbors. Co-workers. Colleagues. Classmates.
And any other. From “east
and west, north and south.” Seeking to enter the kingdom of God.
The Savior is tenderly calling! This season of Lent calls for us to return. Today know that Christ has suffered for you. “Come back to Me!” the Savior speaks. Return to Him. Receive His pardon. He has promised to cleans and relieve you of the guilt of your sin.
Facing life with Jesus might often include confrontation.
Something we might try to avoid. Evade. And escape. That which is unpleasant. And
at times. Nasty. But with the Savior by
your side. And by His action. You can overcome what stands in your road. And
obtain the victory.
Passive Sentences –3%
Readability- 80.5 %
Reading Level-3.8
No comments:
Post a Comment