[Propertalk] Gospel sermon tips - Luke 13:31-5 Part 5

[Joe Parrish]

...when Jesus says that it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem, the meaning is not that blind fate or divine intelligence for some inexplicable reason dictated that prophets must die in Jerusalem. These words of Jesus are rather a commentary on the history of the mistreatment of past prophets by the people of Jerusalem. A prime example is, of course, Jeremiah who was condemned and barely escaped death in Jerusalem. Another prophet, Zechariah (Luke 11:51; II Chron. 24:20-22) was killed in Jerusalem. The irony is that the very city which was the site of the temple, the house of God, and therefore destined to represent sacred space, becomes the scene of persecution and murder of prophets. Could it be that the most severe persecution of prophets has been at the hands of the religious establishment in any age?

http://www.cresourcei.org/lectionary/YearC/Clent2nt1.html

Jirair Tashjian
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There are still those who can't get either their head or their heart around the feminine imagery of the hen Jesus uses here. For some odd reason, God, who by definition can't be humanly male, female, or anything else, is still by some people packed full, laden down with a baggage car of male characteristics, largely of the worst sort! Is this a real God? Or only some god made in our own distorted image?! 

http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/laterallyluke/LLK133135LENT3.html

Brian McGowan
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Jesus, on our behalf, travelled the way to Jerusalem, the way of glory through suffering and death. In Jesus, we have completed that journey and so we sit in glory with him. Yet, as part of our preparation for rule in eternity, Jesus sets us on the pathway he once trod. 
      Our passage for study gives us two insights into the journey: 
  
i] Discipleship is governed by a Divine imperative. 
      There is a "must" about it. We don't have to follow the pathway that Jesus has laid out; it does not effect our salvation. Yet, if we place ourselves in the center of God's will, our training toward eternity will be hastened through the interaction of applied Biblical truth and life's circumstances. 
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      This then should be our way - to strive for the freedom of the lost in the face of rejection and failure. 
  
ii] Discipleship is governed by the danger of desolation.
      The Old Testament prophets, as well as Jesus, warned Israel that their failure to hear the Word of the Lord would bring desolation to their house. Jesus and the apostles warned the church of the same scenario. The Lord will gather a people to himself, but institutional power, ministerial approval and success, congregational survival, conformism, and above all, legalism, often deafen the hearing of God's people. This is the danger that all believers face. 

http://www.lectionarystudies.com/studyg/lent2cag.html

Bryan Findlayson
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Here we have a "struggle of wills": the intention of an adversary, the determination of
"the one who comes," the unwillingness of Jerusalem, and the fulfillment of God's will.4 In the
midst of this struggle comes the prophet's compassionate lament, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how
often would I...and you would not!" (13:34). Indeed, isn't it precisely such passionate longing for
the other that heightens the prophetic indictment, "Behold, your house is forsaken" (13:35).

http://www2.luthersem.edu/word&world/Archives/12-1_Luke-Acts/12-1_Simpson.pdf

Gary M. Simpson, 1992
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This image of the bird hiding its brood under its wings is a familiar one from the psalms (see Psalms 17, 30, 57, 61, 63)

http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2961

Jennifer M. Ginn, 2004
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Jesus could allow himself to be silenced by Herod's threats and live in safe obscurity. He could stay in Galilee and challenge Herod to carry out his threats. Or he could begin the journey to Jerusalem. Jesus' choice was between the natural human instincts of flight or fight, and the third way of obedience to God.

Our choices are less dramatic, and yet just as real: choosing between safety and authenticity; the way that is right for us yet incomprehensible to others. 

http://www.laughingbird.net/ComingWeeks.html

Colin Hunter, 2004
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