Today’s scripture: Luke 13:31-35 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
Have you ever had someone tell you (like Jesus in this passage) to get away, or stop doing what you are doing, because someone is not happy about it? Whether family or friends, loved ones or acquaintances, it seems people love to tell others how to live life and provide the parameters of what is acceptable or not. Jesus was trying to live within the parameters of God. He wanted to gather all of Israel under his wings, so people could know God, and have a relationship with God. What was Herod afraid of?
Are we driven by what God has given us, or how God has gifted us or called us into being? Or are we concerned about what others think or what others tell us?
Some of us are driven by our need for approval. We choose the career our family or friends want for us. Others are driven by what they want materially. Do we accumulate things that impress our friends? The desire to acquire guides our decisions. Do we live by guilt and shame, thinking some horrible mistake defines who we are? Did some event in our life overwhelm us with fear, and is that driving us where we go and who we are becoming? Do we have anger and resentment, and does this provide the motivation for what we do?
What is driving you?
Jesus was motivated by his own mission for God. He was more concerned about healing people, caring for others, seeing other people grow more holistically, and bringing people to God. We each have our own purpose and our own calling. But what is it that drives you to where you are going? Jerusalem, Jesus says in today’s passage, is the city that kills the prophets. What is your Jerusalem that Jesus describes? Is it seeking approval, or fear, guilt and shame, or is it in what we accumulate materially, or what other people think or what others want us to do? These may be powerful forces that drive people to do and accomplish many things. But is this enough?
Thought for the day: Is it possible for me to emulate the mission and desire of Jesus, and seek and do for God? Jesus tells the Pharisees that he desired to bring people under the protective wings of God. What drives me?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.