THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

78JESUS’ SORROW FOR JERUSALEMLuke 13:31-35Hugh Latimer, one of the great preachers and leaders of the English Reformation in thesixteenth century, was once preaching in Westminster Abby when King Henry VIII was in thecongregation. As he stood in the pulpit, he thought to himself:“’Latimer! Latimer! Latimer! Be careful what you say. The king of England is here!’Then it dawned on him:‘Latimer! Latimer! Latimer! Be careful what you say. The King of Kings is here.’” 1JESUS IS WARNED ABOUT HEROD (13:31)This text gives us the information that not all Pharisees were hostile to Jesus, somewanted to save Him. It is not common to come across a Pharisee who warns Jesus of impendingdanger. In the following passage, however, that happens:“At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to Him, "Leave this placeand go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you" (v. 31).Jesus’ concern for everyone is evident by His relentless traveling schedule in the countryaround Him.JESUS’ BLUNT WORDS TO HEROD (13:32-33)Jesus then sent Herod a blunt message through the Pharisee:“ He replied, ‘Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today andtomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must keepgoing today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outsideJerusalem! (vv. 32-33).Because foxes were known for their cunning and destructive nature, they were consideredinsignificant or worthless. So when Jesus called Herod a fox, He did so meaning that Herod wascunning or clever, destructive and insignificant. 2