Written for the Glory of God by Spencer Letchworth
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
-Luke 13:31-35
Not Willing
My wife tried for years to get me to go to Disney World, but I just wasn't willing. After graduating from college, she went multiple times to see a friend who was interning at Disney. She asked me every time to join her, but I refused, always having a cunning excuse. I honestly had no desire to go, from the roundtrip drive, the expensive prices, and especially fighting the crowds of people.
Once we had our first child, Langley, I finally agreed to go once he was old enough to enjoy it. However, I got lucky. Kristen found out she was pregnant with Olivia, so we decided to wait a few years for her to go. That time came, and I reluctantly agreed again for the four of us to go, and then we found out our third, Bryce, was on his way. Again, we decided to wait a few more years so we could all enjoy it, everyone would be walking, most everyone would be tall enough to ride the attractions, etc.
We survived the car ride with three super excited kids and one pouting adult, finally arriving at Disney late in the afternoon. It was wonderful! There were a few hiccups — one almost-lost kid and, yes, even massive crowds, and long days of walking. However, it was all well worth it. We are already planning to go back.
Jesus tells us in the above scripture about how He tried to save Jerusalem several times, but they just weren’t willing. It can be difficult to live as Jesus has taught us, but if we are just willing to keep trying, learn from our mistakes, and know in our hearts that ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,’ it will also be wonderful!
Dear Lord, thank you for sending your son and our savior to show us how to live and to die so that we may have everlasting life. Help us to be willing to mimic those teachings until we see him again. Amen!
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