Targeted

What would you do if someone was trying to kill you?

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’ - Luke 13:31-35

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus takes the warning with more than a touch of anger.  Look, he says, I will finish what I'm doing and then get out of here.

He kind of lets on that he knows that Prophets are killed in Jerusalem, not outside the city, and he uses that to let the world know he understands his fate.

On the third day, he will leave, he says, indicating he is in complete control.  The three days are a symbol and a message.

If someone was out to kill me, I would probably waste no time.  I would be gone so fast...

But Jesus wants his disciples to listen and pay attention to the meaning of his words.  Look at what has happened in the past.  Be wise.

We don't know when the time will come that we are called home, but if someone warns us there is someone out to get us, we do all we can to avoid them or get help.

The last thing on our minds might be to get back to work.

Jesus knows he has little time, so he wants to complete as much of the work he came to do as possible, like a man told he has a terminal illness.

Maybe that's how he wants us to be.

Maybe we need to tackle each day as if it is almost our last.

More to come...