Sorrow For Jerusalem

Week 2 Day 8

Luke 13:31-35

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 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 I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

Jesus knew that his time on earth was almost up in Luke 13. Whether it is in his pointed response to Herod’s death threats or in his lament for Jerusalem, Jesus is moving steadily and confidently toward the cross. He displays his fearless commitment to God’s plan, as he knows for certain what is to come, all the while staying superhumanly cool, calm and collected.

Have you ever had an experience where you knew that something extremely uncomfortable, maybe even life threatening, was about to happen, and you navigated those moments with confidence and poise? If you have, then you are in a league of your own because we all get a little nervous or anxious when fate takes a turn for the worst. In fact, it is in our DNA to fight or take flight when bad stuff is about to happen.

It makes perfect sense then that Jesus’ steadfast calm-under-pressure persona comes from God and not his biology. It also makes sense that we rarely, if ever, believe that we can do the same. We are quick to miss that our messiah is giving us a supreme example of how to live and act. God does not wish for creation to live under fear of the unknown, rather He wants our hearts and minds trained on him, so that we can live with the utmost confidence in what has happened (Christ’s death and our salvation) and what is yet to come (life everlasting with the Father). With Jesus’ confidence/peace in God’s divine will in mind, we should propel ourselves into a divine fearlessness that yields no other option but to live and act boldly for the Kingdom!

Reflection
What is one area of your life where fear reigns? What is God telling you about that fear, and how can you begin to overcome it?

Prayer
Father, thank you for the supreme example of your Son. You are an amazing God, know ing what we need before we are even aware of it. Help guide me to a life of bold confidence and humble submission to your plan. Help me live without fear and act boldly in your name, for your glory. Amen