Introduction
Jesus was going to finish His work and nothing would interfere with that. Jesus laments their apostasy. We see His deep divine insight of their schemes. Knowledge of His death and how He is laying down His own life.
1 The scheme to frighten Jesus away
V31 – very day translates this very hour. Jesus calls Herod a fox (schemer). Herod and the pharisees would have been enemies but they came together in their hatred of Christ. Foxes are cowards – they don’t directly confront. Herod is a fox who did not have a right to his kingdom. “Go” poreuō is a very emphatic message for them to go. – the third day pf perfection is His death. Perfected “teleioō” – to make perfect, complete
2 – His ministry goes on but is completed by death in Jerusalem v33
Nevertheless or In any case. I must press on. A divine mission. The Fathers will must come to pass. “I must journey” or “I must go” – He is not going how they say what they say but going but what He says.
We have a mission to proclaim His gospel today and to live for Him. Don’t let threats from even the most powerful and highest authorities to deter us. Let us accept what ever the consequences may be.
Let us be courageous and live for Him until He calls us home.
3 – Understand that the death of Jesus was no mistake but the divine plan of God
Romans 6:23 (NKJV) For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
His death was the divine plan from the foundation of the world.
4 – Let us fall in love with our God
Romans 5:8 – 1 John 4:10
John 15:13 (NKJV) “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Luke 13:31-35 (NKJV) 31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.” 32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third [day] I shall be perfected.’ 33 “Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the [day] following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. 34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen [gathers] her brood under [her] wings, but you were not willing! 35 “See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until [the time] comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ ”