Jesus cannot be stopped!
By Pastor Patrick Feldhus, TLHA Chaplain
Luke 13:33-Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it cannot be that a prophet would be killed outside Jerusalem!’ (EHV)
How do you deal with threats? For many of us, if someone threatens our lives, we immediately turn to the police for protection. We would also investigate home security systems. We would be careful where we go and be diligent wherever we travel. We certainly would not go directly into the threat knowing our lives were in jeopardy.
Jesus received a threat that was meant to get him out of Galilee. This was a credible threat. Herod had John the Baptist beheaded. It was in the realm of possibilities that he could do the same to Jesus, at least that is what Jesus’ enemies wanted him to think so that he would run away from the threat and leave Galilee.
But Jesus seemed unafraid and even put Herod on notice. “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I am going to drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it cannot be that a prophet would be killed outside Jerusalem.” Jesus was not going to be deterred from his mission by any threats. But in this discourse, Jesus laid out his plans. However, his plans would lead him directly into a threat that would take his life. He would continue his mission to Jerusalem knowing full well that he would be killed there.
Why in the world would he knowingly walk into danger? Jesus would let nothing stop him from dying on the cross. You mean too much to him. For us to be with him in glory forever, he had to allow the threat to come to fruition on the cross in Jerusalem. This purposeful walk into danger is a demonstration of Jesus’ iron clad determination to win forgiveness and eternal life for all of us. He was not going to let anyone, or anything get in his way!
Dear Jesus, thank you for your dedication to walk into danger for us. Your dedication to our salvation is a testimony of your love for each of us. Let us marvel at this love every day! In your name we pray, Amen.