Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"Herod's Death Threat"
March 16, 2017
... "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill You" (Luke 13:31b, ESV).
Read Luke 13:31-35
Each day the danger increases for Jesus. Today, some Pharisees pass along an alleged death threat. If Herod did make this threat, it was more of a bluff to drive Jesus out of the region. Later, he'll have his chance to kill Jesus in Jerusalem, but he will hand Him back to Pilate instead. He doesn't want to anger his Galilean subjects by killing yet another popular prophet, executing John the Baptist had already cost him enough.
Jesus refuses to be intimidated. His time in Galilee is growing extremely short, and He will reach every person He possibly can before He must move on toward Jerusalem. Jesus gives them a message to take back to Herod, "Tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.'" If demons and diseases cannot stop Jesus from carrying out the work the Father has set for Him to do, no earthly ruler will either.
He must go up to Jerusalem. And it is there-like so many prophets before Him-that Jesus must die. Like a bird that spreads its wings to gather its chicks and shield them from danger, Jesus reaches out to His people, but they turn their backs. On the cross His arms will be stretched out for them also, but they will pass by with sneers, insults and mockery.
This brings tears to His eyes. But they are not for Him; rather, they are for the people of Jerusalem He so desperately wants to save, but they are unwilling. This unwillingness will lead to their destruction at the hands of the Roman legions in another 40 years.
THE PRAYER: Almighty God, so many times You reached out to Your people, yet they kept turning their backs on You. Heal my stubborn heart, so I may know Your peace and joy through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
No comments:
Post a Comment