October 31, 2013 30th Week in Ordinary Time Jerusalem, Jerusalem! (Luke 13:34) Neither Herod in his desire to kill Jesus nor the Pharisees in their attempt to protect him could dissuade Jesus from fulfilling the Father’s plan of salvation. That plan was formed long ago, and Jesus had dedicated his life to carrying it out. He knew that he must meet Jerusalem and the cross, and he said as much to the Pharisees: “I must continue on my way . . . for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem” (Luke 13:33). As he journeyed toward this final hour, Jesus mourned, for he knew well that his sacrifice would not be able to save those who had rejected him. Jerusalem had been the scene of the brutal murders of many of God’s prophets; Jesus would be no exception. But he still wanted the people of Jerusalem to come to him. Just as a mother and father cannot force a wayward child back to them, Jesus could not demand that his people respond to his offer of mercy and redemption. They had to choose on their own. Jesus’ words revealed the heart of one who grieves for us, not for himself. He would go willingly to the cross to win our forgiveness. Without a trace of bitterness or resentment, he freely gave himself for us, knowing that not everyone would accept him. And just as he foretold, he arrived in Jerusalem amidst cries of praise: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38). Days later, however, the same people who had rejoiced at his coming would release a notorious prisoner rather than save Jesus from the cross (23:18-19). By their own choosing, those who rejected him would experience their house being forsaken. How this knowledge must have saddened Jesus! Our own “house” need not be forsaken. Even though we are sinners, Jesus awaits us, longing to gather us to him. Nothing that we have ever done, no matter how sinful, can keep him from loving us. He never forces us to return to him. As he did with the people of Jerusalem, he leaves the decision to us. So what will you do today? Gather with him? Or let yourself be scattered? “Jesus, thank you for loving me even when I turned away from you. Bring everyone—even those who seem far away from you—into your embrace.” Romans 8:31-39; Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 04:46:28 +0000
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