Jesus' Sorrow for Jerusalem

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Jesus' Sorrow for Jerusalem

Date: Jul. 14, 2017

Passage

Luke 13:31-35 (ESV)

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for 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 I finish my course. 33 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.’ 34 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! 35 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!’”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 13:34

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!

1. In any case I must keep on going (31-33)

As Jesus drew nearer to Jerusalem, he received a message that Herod wanted to kill him. Some Pharisees advised him to escape. The threat of death did not change Jesus' plans. He considered his messianic mission more important than his physical life. He would continue healing people and casting out demons. He did not fear Herod, for he knew that life and death are in God's hands--not in the hands of the Herods of the world. He knew that he would die at the time and in the place of God's choosing.

2. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! (34-35)

Jesus loved the people of Israel even though, time after time, they had rejected God's love and God's saving grace. He loved them with the shepherd heart of God, with the heart of the father who loved his prodigal son. He could not force them to accept God's love; he could only keep on loving them with a broken heart. (34) He wept over them because it was Jerusalem, not Jesus, who was in imminent danger (35). Jesus knew his life-giving sacrifice would end in glory.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust you and not fear people. Teach me your shepherd heart and life-giving spirit.

One Word: Jesus longs to gather his rebellious children

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references