Reading: Luke 13:31-35
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, “Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.” And he said unto them, “Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
In today’s passage, we see the Pharisees wanting to warn (or scare) Jesus that Herod wanted to kill him.
The Lord’s response is hard, and firm. “There is nothing that Herod can do to prevent me from fulfilling the purpose for which I have come. Herod has no authority.”
Jesus also knows that his mission is to sacrifice his life, and that the place to do so is Jerusalem. Jerusalem, the city of God that, paradoxically, kills all of God’s envoys.
Herod, who rejects Jesus and wants to oppose Him. Jerusalem, that also rejects Jesus, he who comes to strip her of her cheap dresses of self-righteousness and vain religion.
Without a doubt, opposing God’s plans is the worst thing a person can do. No one can derail his purpose, no one can oppose his will.
Rejecting God is absolute foolishness, and a painful tragedy.
MEDITATE: Let us always follow the Lord faithfully, certain in that His plans are eternal, firm, and good.

Translation By: Emily Stader