Flashback Episode — Reaching the Goal: Luke 13:31-35

When reading the events in the gospels, we find several big themes present through the ministry of Jesus Christ. One of these themes draws our attention onto where Jesus’ life was headed.

While we don’t often think of Jesus as being a goal setter, or a strategist, we can see through many of the events in His life that He was intentionally walking a path that He knew the end to.

However, while there are several clear examples of Jesus intentionally knowing and stating where His life was headed, the event we are focusing on in our passage for this episode is not a place we might expect this theme to appear, and I wonder if there is more nuance present in this passage and event than we have recorded.

Our passage for this episode is found in the gospel of Luke, chapter 13, and we will read it using the New Century Version. To set the stage for what Jesus shares, let’s start reading in verse 31, where Luke tells us that:

³¹ At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away from here! Herod wants to kill you!”

³² Jesus said to them, “Go tell that fox Herod, ‘Today and tomorrow I am forcing demons out and healing people. Then, on the third day, I will reach my goal.’ ³³ Yet I must be on my way today and tomorrow and the next day. Surely it cannot be right for a prophet to be killed anywhere except in Jerusalem.

³⁴ “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone to death those who are sent to you. Many times I wanted to gather your people as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me. ³⁵ Now your house is left completely empty. I tell you, you will not see me until that time when you will say, ‘God bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

While it is easy to miss in this passage, did you see Jesus hint at His mission in this passage?

This hint is found in the last sentence of verse 32: “Then, on the third day, I will reach my goal.” Verse 33 follows up with a similar today and tomorrow, but instead of saying “on the third day”, it simply says “the next day”. This slight shift in wording tells me that Jesus’ initial phrase is distinct and significant from His follow-up one.

When looking at this passage and event, several details stand out in my mind. First off, the whole setting of this event and discussion is interesting. The passage begins with some Pharisees, who probably didn’t really like Jesus being around, bringing Him a warning that He should leave because Herod wanted to kill Him. While this is a noble gesture and it was a legitimate threat when Jesus was a baby (though it was a different Herod then), the cynical side of me wonders if the Pharisees are masking their desires by putting words in the governor’s mouth.

An equally interesting angle to frame this event is if these religious leaders met with Herod and made the case for wanting to put Jesus to death. If these leaders met with Herod, this would allow them to be among the first to know of the plot, and providing a very truthful valid warning to get Jesus to leave their area. This would be similar to saying that these leaders prompted Herod to respond in a certain way so they could then push Jesus to leave their region with a legitimate threat – all while making someone else the villain.

However, Jesus’ response to these Pharisees and to Herod is also interesting. First, He takes a stab at the governor by calling him a fox, and then He basically tells everyone present that Jerusalem is His final destination. Part of me wonders if this message made it back to Herod, and if this message was one of the reasons Herod was in Jerusalem on the Passover weekend Jesus was crucified.

Aside from Herod’s presence in Jerusalem being documented, we don’t know why He was there, outside of his jurisdiction, except for this message that Jesus sends through the religious leaders back to him.

However, let’s shift our attention back to Jesus’ goal and the subtle hint Jesus shares about His mission. By using the phrase, “The third day”, Jesus isn’t looking directly at the cross, but at the resurrection after having faced the cross and dying the death we all deserved. On crucifixion day, Jesus gave His life for us. On the second day, the Sabbath, Jesus rested following completing the work of salvation. On the third day, Jesus rose from the grave victorious.

While Jesus’ message about the first two days focus on casting out demons and healing people, the spiritual significance of these actions is the same spiritual reason He came to face the cross. Jesus came to redeem people from sin, from Satan, and from this sin-stained world. Healing people and casting out demons are the individual specific ways Jesus saved individual people, while dying on the cross was Jesus’ way to redeem humanity when Adam sinned. Paul frames this truth as Adam’s sin infecting the human race with sin, while Jesus’ sacrifice redeems humanity and opens the way for our salvation.

This slightly odd and unassuming passage in Luke’s gospel amazingly and clearly foreshadows both the cross and the resurrection. Jesus’ current, daily goal is forcing out demons and healing people, but that all leads up to His life’s big mission, where He gives His life for us on that Passover, Easter weekend.

With Jesus being victorious over sin and with His resurrection that shows us His sacrifice was accepted, what will you do with the gift Jesus offers to you? While we still live in a sin-filled world, will you accept Jesus’ sacrifice on your behalf to accept the gift He offers you of a new life with Him? Jesus offers to take our sin-stained lives to the cross and give us His perfect life in replacement. His perfect life allows us to take part in the resurrection of God’s people and to share in God’s universe-wide victory celebration over sin when Jesus returns to bring God’s people home.

As we come to the end of another podcast episode, here are the challenges I will leave you with:

As I always challenge you to do, intentionally place God first. Put the God who placed your life ahead of His life as your primary focus. Let the God who focused His mission on redeeming you to lead and direct your life moving forward. Never belittle your value in the face of the value God placed on your life. He gave His life for yours. He showed the universe through His sacrifice that you are worth more to Him than His own life! Never think of your worth as being less than the value of God’s sacrifice for you.

Also, continue to pray and study the Bible for yourself. While other people can give you ideas to think about, always take what you learn and filter it through the truth that the Bible teaches. And, intentionally test your assumptions about what the Bible teaches against what the Bible actually teaches. Always take time to study the Bible, because it will help keep your mind sharp and your focus on God!

And as I end every set of challenges by saying in one way or another, never stop short of, back away from, chicken out of, or give up on where God wants to lead you to in your life with Him!