Jesus' Compassion and Determination Amid Rejection
Summary
### Summary
In today's passage from Luke 13:31-35, we explore Jesus' unwavering determination to fulfill His mission despite the threats from Herod Antipas and the Pharisees. The Pharisees, possibly under the guise of concern, warn Jesus to flee for His life. However, Jesus responds with resolute defiance, calling Herod a "fox" and declaring His intention to continue His work of casting out demons and healing the sick. Jesus' determination is rooted in His divine purpose, which He is committed to completing, regardless of the dangers He faces.
Jesus' lament over Jerusalem reveals His deep compassion and sorrow for a city that has consistently rejected God's messengers. He compares His desire to gather the people of Jerusalem to a hen gathering her chicks under her wings, a poignant image of protection and care. Yet, the people refuse His offer of safety and salvation, choosing instead to continue in their rejection and hostility.
This rejection is not a new phenomenon but a recurring pattern throughout history, starting from the Garden of Eden. Humanity's inclination to reject God's ways stems from a desire to live according to our own sinful and selfish desires. This rejection leads to spiritual abandonment, where God allows people to pursue their sinful desires, resulting in internal and external suffering.
Despite this, Jesus' heart remains full of compassion. He longs to protect and nurture us, offering Himself as a refuge. The story of the hen protecting her chicks in a barn fire serves as a powerful illustration of Jesus' sacrificial love. He endured suffering and death to offer us eternal life and reconciliation with the Father.
Ultimately, the message is a call to recognize our need for Jesus, to see Him as our source of security and salvation, and to respond with faithfulness and repentance. Jesus' invitation is always open, and His desire is for us to run to Him, not away from Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus' Unwavering Determination: Jesus' response to the Pharisees' warning shows His unwavering commitment to His divine mission. He refuses to be deterred by threats, demonstrating His resolve to fulfill His purpose of casting out demons and healing the sick. This determination is a powerful reminder of Jesus' dedication to His mission and His love for humanity. [06:30]
2. The Compassionate Heart of Jesus: Jesus' lament over Jerusalem reveals His deep compassion and sorrow for those who reject Him. He compares His desire to gather the people to a hen gathering her chicks, highlighting His protective and nurturing nature. Despite our rejection, Jesus' heart remains full of love and compassion, always inviting us to find refuge in Him. [09:36]
3. The Consequences of Rejection: The recurring pattern of humanity's rejection of God leads to spiritual abandonment. When we persist in our sinful ways, God allows us to pursue our desires, resulting in internal and external suffering. This abandonment is a consequence of our deliberate decision to reject God's ways, emphasizing the importance of repentance and turning back to Him. [21:23]
4. The Sacrificial Love of Jesus: The story of the hen protecting her chicks in a barn fire illustrates Jesus' sacrificial love. Just as the hen endured the fire to save her chicks, Jesus endured suffering and death to offer us eternal life. His willingness to die for us is a powerful testament to His relentless love and desire to restore our relationship with the Father. [32:41]
5. The Call to Repentance and Faithfulness: Jesus' invitation is always open, calling us to recognize our need for Him and to respond with faithfulness and repentance. He desires to be our source of security and salvation, offering us abundant life. Our response should be to live lives that reflect His work in us, pointing others to His goodness and love. [36:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:39] - Jesus' Response to the Pharisees
[03:00] - The Lion King Analogy
[04:39] - The Pharisees' Hidden Motives
[06:30] - Jesus' Determination to Fulfill His Mission
[08:00] - Jesus' Authority Over the Seen and Unseen
[09:36] - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem
[11:31] - The Pattern of Rejection
[13:03] - The Disruptive Nature of Jesus
[14:45] - Jesus' Compassionate Desire to Protect
[16:23] - The Hen and the Fox
[18:04] - Jesus' Overcoming the World
[19:54] - The Consequences of Rejection
[21:23] - Deliberate Rejection and Its Effects
[22:54] - The Distortion of God's Image
[24:31] - The Foolishness of Idolatry
[26:11] - The Reality of Abandonment
[27:42] - The Internal Suffering of Sin
[29:27] - The Contagious Nature of Sin
[31:03] - The Call to Repentance
[32:41] - The Hen's Sacrificial Love
[34:26] - Jesus' Invitation to Abundant Life
[36:04] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Luke 13:31-35
- John 1:10-11
- Romans 1:18-24
### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus' response to the Pharisees' warning about Herod's threat? How did He describe Herod? [06:30]
2. How does Jesus express His feelings towards Jerusalem in Luke 13:34? What metaphor does He use? [09:36]
3. According to the sermon, what is the recurring pattern of humanity's response to God's messengers? [11:31]
4. What does the story of the hen protecting her chicks in a barn fire illustrate about Jesus' love? [32:41]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus refer to Herod as a "fox," and what does this reveal about His perception of Herod's character? [06:30]
2. How does Jesus' lament over Jerusalem reflect His compassion and sorrow for those who reject Him? [09:36]
3. What are the consequences of humanity's deliberate rejection of God, as described in Romans 1:18-24? How does this relate to the sermon? [21:23]
4. How does the metaphor of the hen and her chicks help us understand Jesus' sacrificial love and desire to protect us? [32:41]
### Application Questions
1. Jesus showed unwavering determination to fulfill His mission despite threats. Can you think of a time when you faced opposition in doing what you believed was right? How did you respond? [06:30]
2. Jesus' heart is full of compassion for those who reject Him. How can you show compassion to someone who has rejected you or your beliefs? [09:36]
3. The sermon mentions that rejecting God leads to spiritual abandonment and suffering. Are there areas in your life where you feel distant from God? What steps can you take to draw closer to Him? [21:23]
4. The story of the hen protecting her chicks illustrates Jesus' sacrificial love. How can you demonstrate sacrificial love in your relationships this week? [32:41]
5. Jesus calls us to repentance and faithfulness. Is there a specific sin or habit you need to repent of? How can you take practical steps towards faithfulness in that area? [36:04]
6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeing Jesus as our source of security and salvation. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of this truth daily? [16:23]
7. Reflecting on the consequences of rejection mentioned in Romans 1:18-24, how can you guard against idolatry and ensure that God remains the primary focus of your life? [24:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Unwavering Commitment to His Mission
Jesus' response to the Pharisees' warning shows His unwavering commitment to His divine mission. He refuses to be deterred by threats, demonstrating His resolve to fulfill His purpose of casting out demons and healing the sick. This determination is a powerful reminder of Jesus' dedication to His mission and His love for humanity. Jesus' determination is rooted in His divine purpose, which He is committed to completing, regardless of the dangers He faces. His resolute defiance in the face of threats from Herod Antipas and the Pharisees highlights His courage and steadfastness. Jesus' mission was not just about performing miracles but about bringing salvation and hope to a broken world. His unwavering commitment serves as an example for us to remain steadfast in our faith and purpose, even when faced with challenges and opposition. [06:30]
Luke 9:51 (ESV): "When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel called to serve or make a difference, but you face opposition or fear? How can you draw strength from Jesus' example to remain committed to this calling?
Day 2: The Compassionate Heart of Jesus
Jesus' lament over Jerusalem reveals His deep compassion and sorrow for those who reject Him. He compares His desire to gather the people to a hen gathering her chicks, highlighting His protective and nurturing nature. Despite our rejection, Jesus' heart remains full of love and compassion, always inviting us to find refuge in Him. This image of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings is a poignant reminder of Jesus' desire to protect and care for us. His compassion is not diminished by our rejection; instead, it fuels His longing to draw us closer to Him. Jesus' heart breaks for those who turn away from His offer of safety and salvation, yet He continues to extend His invitation of love and refuge. [09:36]
Matthew 23:37 (ESV): "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt distant from Jesus. How did His compassion and love draw you back to Him? How can you extend that same compassion to others who may feel distant from God?
Day 3: The Consequences of Rejection
The recurring pattern of humanity's rejection of God leads to spiritual abandonment. When we persist in our sinful ways, God allows us to pursue our desires, resulting in internal and external suffering. This abandonment is a consequence of our deliberate decision to reject God's ways, emphasizing the importance of repentance and turning back to Him. The story of humanity's rejection of God is not new; it has been a recurring theme since the Garden of Eden. Our inclination to live according to our own sinful and selfish desires leads to spiritual abandonment, where God allows us to face the consequences of our choices. This abandonment results in both internal and external suffering, highlighting the importance of repentance and turning back to God. [21:23]
Romans 1:24-25 (ESV): "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of rejecting God's ways. How did this experience lead you to repentance and a deeper understanding of His grace and mercy?
Day 4: The Sacrificial Love of Jesus
The story of the hen protecting her chicks in a barn fire illustrates Jesus' sacrificial love. Just as the hen endured the fire to save her chicks, Jesus endured suffering and death to offer us eternal life. His willingness to die for us is a powerful testament to His relentless love and desire to restore our relationship with the Father. Jesus' sacrificial love is the cornerstone of our faith. His willingness to endure suffering and death on the cross to offer us eternal life is a powerful testament to His relentless love for humanity. The image of the hen protecting her chicks in a barn fire serves as a poignant illustration of Jesus' sacrificial love. Just as the hen endured the fire to save her chicks, Jesus endured the ultimate sacrifice to offer us salvation and reconciliation with the Father. [32:41]
John 15:13 (ESV): "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can demonstrate sacrificial love to someone in your life this week. How can you reflect Jesus' love in your actions and words?
Day 5: The Call to Repentance and Faithfulness
Jesus' invitation is always open, calling us to recognize our need for Him and to respond with faithfulness and repentance. He desires to be our source of security and salvation, offering us abundant life. Our response should be to live lives that reflect His work in us, pointing others to His goodness and love. Jesus' call to repentance and faithfulness is a continuous invitation to draw closer to Him. He desires to be our source of security and salvation, offering us abundant life. Our response to His invitation should be one of faithfulness and repentance, recognizing our need for Him and allowing His work in us to be evident in our lives. By living lives that reflect His goodness and love, we can point others to the hope and salvation found in Jesus. [36:04]
Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to repent and turn back to Jesus? How can you make a tangible change today to reflect your commitment to living faithfully for Him?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "His goodness is, I'm warning you. I'm threatening you. A threat says, I want to do this. Give me a reason to inflict harm. But a warning says, I care for you. I want to prevent harm from coming. Listen to me. And that was what God was doing and continues to do was warn." [12:45] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "This is my heart for you, my people who reject and refuse me. All I want you to do is to run to me, to see you're at risk, that it's dangerous out there, that my intentions are good. And I just want to hold you under my arms and keep you safe. I want you to see me as a source of security, as a refuge. And I don't want you to run from me. I want you to run to me." [16:23] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus died, but he rose again. He proved. He showed us his relentless love for you and for me. What he's willing to do to restore the relationship, that we could be reconciled to the Father, that he doesn't leave us in our foolishness and in our wickedness, but he waits for us to come running back." [34:26] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He says, I'm the way, the truth, and the life. He's the giver of life. And he gives it in an abundance. Will we receive that? Do we accept that? Do we see our need for him? Do we see him as our refuge, as our protection, as our safe place? The one who's willing to do for us what nobody else would or could." [34:26] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Forgiveness and restoration is one prayer of confession away. He says, you'll never see me again like this. But when you get to the place where you believe that blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. When you see me for who I am, things will be made right. You'll experience the presence of the Father." [34:26] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "He says, I will fulfill my purpose. I will accomplish my purpose and I will continue on. I will proceed on. I won't stop. And I won't, be stopped until this mission is fulfilled. But he starts by calling him a fox, which is not a compliment. And interesting to me that the Pharisees come to him and say, hey, here's a warning. You need to go. You need to leave. You need to run. And he doesn't respond to them. He responds through them. He says, go, you go and tell Herod the fox that I'm not leaving. I'm not doing this. I'm not stopping." [06:30] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The sad reality of our existence and of theirs is that by nature, we reject Jesus. We reject his ways. In John chapter one, verse 10 and 11, John says, he came into the world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. That shouldn't be a surprise. The world wasn't looking for him. But then in verse 11, he says, he came to his own people and even they rejected him. So his people, they recognized who he was. And then they chose to reject him. They weren't going to put their faith in him." [11:31] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He says, you won't see me again. Your house is abandoned. You can only reject God for so long and he's going to reject you. And we talked about that narrow door at some point while we're on this side of eternity. We have time, but that door will close. It'll close at the time of our death or his return. And it's too late then. But when we're actively rejecting God, we, at some point, God will reject us." [19:54] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Rejection is deliberate. It's a deliberate decision. It's a decision to reject, to not accept. We have no excuses. He says, he's made it obvious through creation. And then in verse 21, he says, yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or give him thanks. And they began to think of foolish ideas of what God was like. Because they rejected him, now they're going to change him. They're going to distort the reality of who he is." [22:54] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When we start to pursue those things greater than we pursue God, it's an idol. He says it's foolishness that somebody would not worship the glorious ever-living God who's working to redeem them while we're still his enemies. So, in verse 24, Paul says, so God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. We know what a structure looks like when it's been abandoned. Whatever was occupying the house or the building is gone. And things that were never intended to happen or to occupy, occupy." [24:31] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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