Killing Prophets in Jerusalem

Jesus is feeling it.

Today’s passage begins with some powerful, albeit small images describing the Kingdom of God. And it ends with some strong feelings from Jesus about Jerusalem, as representative of the people of God.

First, he has a word for Herod.

If yesterday’s passage is the only example we have of Jesus responding to current events, today’s might be the strongest example we have of him responding directly to a political leader.

He calls Herod a fox. This isn’t to say Herod is cunning or cute. Jesus is calling him small and sneaky. And he’s comparing and contrasting what Herod cares about and does with the work of the Kingdom - Look, I’m throwing out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work.

…as if to say, “The true Kingdom doesn’t have time for the pettiness of puppet kings.”

Herod was known for many things. But compassion was not one of them.

Then we get this statement about prophets being killed only in Jerusalem. Jesus is not making a geographical statement. Actually, he’s really kind of on a roll with the sarcasm and tragic irony here. The city that prides itself on being closest to God, the center of worship, and the place of the Temple, is also the very place that silences God’s messengers. It doesn’t seem to be mockery as much as grief and exasperation. You can almost hear the ache in his voice: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you…

It’s the pain of a parent watching a child run headlong into danger, over and over again. He longs to gather them together in solidarity and community, but they refuse, choosing violence instead of being the “City of Peace.” This is the consistent story of God’s people, a God who draws near, a people who resist, and yet still God keeps reaching.

If we think about it, it might feel close to this current moment for many of us. There’s no shortage of claims for Christ all around. But who that Christ is - and how faithful all the noise is to his prophetic voice - is the real question. The challenge for us is not simply to call his name, but to recognize and follow his way as he taught and exemplified it.

Luke 13:18-35

Jesus asked, “What is God’s kingdom like? To what can I compare it? It’s like a mustard seed that someone took and planted in a garden. It grew and developed into a tree and the birds in the sky nested in its branches.”

Again he said, “To what can I compare God’s kingdom? It’s like yeast, which a woman took and hid in a bushel of wheat flour until the yeast had worked its way through the whole.”

Jesus traveled through cities and villages, teaching and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

Jesus said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and won’t be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and shuts the door, then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you are from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ He will respond, ‘I don’t know you or where you are from. Go away from me, all you evildoers!’ There will be weeping and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s kingdom, but you yourselves will be thrown out. People will come from east and west, north and south, and sit down to eat in God’s kingdom. Look! Those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last.”

At that time, some Pharisees approached Jesus and said, “Go! Get away from here, because Herod wants to kill you.”

Jesus said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Look, I’m throwing out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work. However, it’s necessary for me to travel today, tomorrow, and the next day because it’s impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you! How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. Look, your house is abandoned. I tell you, you won’t see me until the time comes when you say, Blessings on the one who comes in the Lord’s name.”

Psalm 81:11-16

But my people wouldn’t listen to my voice.
Israel simply wasn’t agreeable toward me.
So I sent them off to follow their willful hearts;
they followed their own advice.
How I wish my people would listen to me!
How I wish Israel would walk in my ways!
Then I would subdue their enemies in a second;
I would turn my hand against their foes.
Those who hate the Lord would grovel before me,
and their doom would last forever!
But I would feed you with the finest wheat.
I would satisfy you with honey from the rock.

Prayer

God,

You still long to gather us, even when we wander. Soften our hearts, tune our ears to your voice, and draw us back beneath your wings. Teach us not just to call your name, but to live your way.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.