‘Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Luke 13:33
Jesus tells those who have come to warn him of King Herod’s threat against Him that He will be going about His ministry as usual. He also makes reference to the fact that Israel has a poor record when it comes to hearing prophetic wisdom and following it. Additionally, He foretells that His death will come in Jerusalem at their hands.
We don’t like hearing bad news. It makes us unhappy, often indicating we have done something wrong and it usually makes us angry at the one who tells us. I’m sure the Pharisees who came to warn Jesus felt this way. They thought they were helping, but Jesus warns them that they are part of what’s wrong in Jerusalem specifically and Israel generally.
Scripture can make us feel this way sometimes, pointing out our failures, but that’s not the last word! The rest of the glorious story is that we can repent and be forgiven through our relationship with Jesus. He came with a message of hope for us, that God loved us so much He was willing to come to be one of us to make us understand.
Loving Lord, we are grateful and humbled at what You have done for us. Help us to live in ways that are worthy of Your sacrifice for us and share the Good News of Your salvation with all the world. Amen.