7-14-12. Luke 13:31-25. The Shelter Of Jesus’ Wings
7-14-12. Luke 13:31-25. The Shelter Of Jesus’ Wings
Luke 13:31-35 Key Verse: 13:34
Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF Saturday, July 14, 2012
“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.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that I can meditate on our word daily. Thank you that your mission to teach the word of God is bringing me closer to others and helping me to build those relationship. Today you sent Jason and Rob and my son Mark to have fellowship with you in the word of God. Thank you Lord for opening such doors. Please help me to glean one deep word of God through this passage. I pray all of these things in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Part 1: Jesus’ Courage (31-33).
Verses 31-33, “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!”
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and warned him that Herod wanted to kill him. This was the same Herod who imprisoned and executed John the Baptist. Herod was a dangerous man, but Jesus refused to save himself. Jesus would continue to drive out demons and heal the sick. In the face of threats to his life, Jesus courageously pressed ahead to Jerusalem. There, Jesus would carry out his Father’s will to suffer and die in order to save us from our sins.
I like Jesus’ courage. But I don’t think that he was on a suicide mission. He was in a very dangerous environment. His life was threatened at any moment. It was much worse than wandering through Western Pakistan and Afghanistan. But Jesus knew that he would be safe until the time that he needed to start his passion.
I admit that I have some fears of going to Africa. Let’s face it, there are Islamists and criminal elements. I will be in the minority, possibly subjected to prejudice and also I could become vulnerable to some infection. But I believe that God wants me to get a taste of what the “ends of the earth” looks like and experience it and also to find a place where I could expend my energies as short term medical missionary. It is the will of God. I need to repent of fear and pray and trust God for all things.
Part 2: Jesus’ Sorrow (34-35).
Verses 34-35, “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.’”
Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem to finish his mission. But he did not go grudgingly or out of abject resignation. Jesus’ heart broke when he thought about the history and people of Jerusalem. A heart that aches is a heart that loves. Jerusalem was supposed to be the place where people came to know and worship God. However, many servants of God were killed there. Jesus wanted to gather his people under his loving wings, but his people were not willing. They would eventually kill him.
I need to have the compassion of Jesus. If there were people rejected the Savior, my human nature would be to just ignore them and think, “Oh well…it’s too bad.” and then move on. But I see here that Jesus truly cares about others. He cares about those who reject the Gospel. I need this compassion. I need to care about the fact that people refuse to come under the wings of Jesus’ grace and truth. I must also reach out to them even though it means possible danger. Lord, help me to convince the people of DeKalb and the students of NIU to come into the shelter of Jesus’ wings.
I was one who refused to come under Jesus’ wings for the first 22 years of my life. But Jesus suffered and died for me. He drew me with cords of love. He showered me with his blessings. I came to rest in him. I need to remain in the shelter of his wings. I need to rest in Jesus’ love.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus who went to the cross for us. Please give me courage, faith, and love to fulfill the mission you have given to me.
One Word: Rest in the grace and truth and salvation of Jesus’ wings.
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