Friday 04 November 2011

Background

Continuing his journey towards Jerusalem, Jesus is warned bysome Pharisees about Herod's plan to kill him. Perhaps thesePharisees realised that they were closer to Jesus in their thinkingand believing than to Herod and genuinely wanted to warn him. Orperhaps they were sent by Herod as his agents in the hope offrightening Jesus into moving out of the area.

Herod was described as a "fox" (v. 32); a term used to describesome who was insignificant and worthless, as well as sly andcunning. Jesus makes it clear to the Pharisees that they can returnand tell Herod that Jesus will continue his ministry and thatwhatever Herod was planning was insignificant as the work he (ieJesus) had to do would be completed. God, not Herod would determinehis course and his death.

Jesus then thinks about Jerusalem with mixed feelings; those oftenderness towards the people who he wanted to gather to himselfyet at the same time knowing that it was they who had and wouldcontinue to reject him. "Your house is left to you" (v. 35) impliesthat the household, and perhaps the whole of Jerusalem, has beenforsaken by God as a result of their disobedience and lack ofresponse to God in Jesus. As God's presence can be found in Jesuswe are reminded that Jerusalem will only see God again when Jesusreturns for the final Passover event when the people will echo thewords of Psalm 118:26: "Blessed is the one who comes inthe name of the Lord".

In this passage we see Jesus' compassion and longing for thepeople of Jerusalem and we are drawn into his grief over the peoplenot willing to accept him. There is little time left for them todecide how to react when he comes.

All over the world people are being blessed by those who "come inthe name of the Lord" but we hardly ever hear about them. It seemsas if the mainstream media only want to tell stories that sadden usand make us feel fearful about the future. It should be possiblefor us to be a reminder about the good that there is in the worldand the signs of the kingdom of God that can be seen and to be ablessing ourselves.

To Ponder

What causes you to feel grief?

Spend some time today offering to God your town,city or village. What signs of God's presence do you see there? Andwhat is it that concerns you?

Give thanks for those who have been a blessing toyou and look for ways of being a blessing to those you meettoday.