May 19 Beware

Luke 13:31-33 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 drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day — for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” 
 
THIS passage has caused me to ask, “Were the Pharisees, who ‘plotted how they might kill Jesus’ (Matthew 12:14) suddenly on his side?” It seems they would welcome Herod’s attempts to kill Jesus.
    We learn the answer to this question in Jesus’ response. When he says, “Go tell that fox.” our Lord connects the Pharisees to Herod as his messengers. Their desire is to spur Jesus to leave their presence, even Galilee, so he will no longer disrupt their authority over the Jews. Jesus’ wisdom often made them appear foolish. Our Lord’s rebukes urged them to repent. Their hard hearts did not relent. They wanted the Truth out of their lives.
    Sin is that way. It always wants the Savior gone from its presence. What is your response to Jesus’ truth? Do you want the Lord gone from your life? Or do you sit down, invite him in to learn more? Or do people want you gone from their presence because you stand on the Bible’s truth?
    Be encouraged then to know and follow Jesus’ example to “drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow.” Or, in other words, be as Jesus to passionately pursue God’s purpose for your life. As Jesus, you must be prepared to defend the Lord’s calling. You must move away from sin. You “must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day” into the future he has prepared for you.
    Too easily we are detracted from God’s work. Unbelievers cast doubt into our hearts. Temptation says, “Stop! You aren’t worthy.” People who say they speak in your interests will often frighten and discourage you to reject the Lord’s call.
    Be firm then, to walk deliberately forward to follow Jesus. God’s story is about individuals making a difference in their family, their nation and even the world. This is kingdom living. Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for using my life for kingdom purposes. With the Spirit’s strength, keep my heart focused to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. In his name I pray, amen.