Sunday Reflection –second Sunday of Lent, March 22, 2022

Luke 13:31-35

Our first thought perhaps when reading the gospel (Luke 13:31-35) for this week, that some Pharisees come to warn Jesus, is that they were up to no good, as they are usually projected as opponents of Jesus, trying to discredit him in their attempts to be rid of him.  Here however they come to warn Jesus to get away, because Herod was wanting to kill him.  And though they may have had a good intent in warning Jesus, it is likely too because it would serve their own purpose.  They likely didn’t want any trouble brewing up between the Romans and Jesus’ followers, and in warning Jesus they were hoping he would leave the area, and they too would be rid of him.

Jesus however is not deterred by their warning, whether legit or not, he is going to get on doing what he had come to do.  “Go tell that fox for me”, he says, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow and on the third day I finish my work”(13:32). Referring to Herod as a fox, tells us that Jesus knows just how cunning underhanded and dangerous Herod could be, and likely too he was speaking of the Pharisees own deceptive tactics. And while the third day he reference here, may point forward to the time of His death and resurrection, it likely also speaks to the urgency with which he must get about doing what he had come to do; that of proclaiming God’s kingdom through his missional work of breaking down, the destructive forces of the world that kill, harm and destroy the creatures of God;  And there was only so much time left for him to do so, and his mission would not be delayed by the threat of what Herod or anyone might do to him. 

Jesus shows great courage and strength here, though he knows the danger he is threatened with he persists in continuing what he had come to do. It calls us to think about how it is that we are sometimes called to be courageous in our own lives, in living out God’s kingdom values in our world, values of love, mercy, compassion, and justice.

Lamenting with compassion over Jerusalem, Jesus though he would be put to death there, longs to hold her as a mother hen might shelter her young under her wings.

 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it. How often, have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (13: 34) While it’s an image of tenderness, it is also one of courage and strength.

If you have ever seen a mother hen when anything or anyone comes near or threatens her chicks, you know just how feisty she can get, even at the detriment of her own self that she might save them.  

What a powerful image of God’s own love for us all. That he is a God who wants to coddle, protect and care for us, even to the point of death on a cross.  And so it is that we too should think about how it is that we resist God, through persisting in having our own way, or seeking after that which serves our own self-indulgence, self-serving needs and wants, trusting more in what the world can provide or do for us, rather than aligning our values, our confidence, our trust in God and what he can do for us.   And in doing so we too forfeit the love, the protection, the care that our God gives.

“See, your house is left to you,” Jesus says “and you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (13:35).   

And so as we continue on through Lent over these next few weeks, I pray it will be a time for you to reflect on God’s word as to what place God holds in your life, and to ask is it his values, his hope, his truths, that your life projects; or is it that of the world or some other self-indulgent interest or purpose you might have.  Jesus wants us to follow after him, to hold God’s truths close to our hearts that we too might know the full embrace of his loving goodness in our lives.  

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you find some inspiration here when you do, and pray that you will trust in God’s grace for your life always. Take care, and I appreciate if you would share my blog, or drop a line, a word, a comment or thought below to let me know you’ve been here.

Hope to see you again next week, take care, God Bless.

“For In the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; he shall hide me in

the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock” (psalm 27:7)