Exploring the Text: Our response to Jesus
In this passage we see some of the people's response to Jesus. By this time, most people know at least something about this man from Galilee who is turning the world upside down. They have at least heard about his healing and his miracles. They know that crowds have gathered wherever he went. They may even know something of his teaching. Now they are forming their opinions about him and their response to him.
Some of the Pharisees, or religious leaders, come to Jesus warning him that Herod wants to kill him. Herod is part of the group that is actively opposing Jesus. They are afraid what he will do to their power and their lifestyle. They have decided to reject him completely and remove him from their society.
The Pharisees that come to warn Jesus are not yet followers. They find him interesting. They haven't completely committed to following him, but they are not yet willing to have him taken out of the way. They may want to know more and explore further.
Then there are those that are coming to Jesus for help. They are the ones looking for healing and deliverance. They know they need Jesus. Maybe they are not willing to completely commit to him yet, but they know they need what only he can offer.
Finally, there is the group that is not mentioned in the text. They are his disciples that are always with him (and that end up telling Luke about this story so he can write it down). They have committed to following him no matter what.
So where are you? Do you identify with Herod and Jesus' enemies? Have you rejected him completely? Do you identify with the religious leaders? Are you curious about Jesus and wanting to know more? Do you identify with those coming for healing and deliverance? Have you not committed your life to following him completely but you recognize that you need what only he can offer? Do you count yourself among his disciples? Have you made a commitment to follow him no matter what? Where do you stand when it comes to Jesus?
David W. Dalton
In this passage we see some of the people's response to Jesus. By this time, most people know at least something about this man from Galilee who is turning the world upside down. They have at least heard about his healing and his miracles. They know that crowds have gathered wherever he went. They may even know something of his teaching. Now they are forming their opinions about him and their response to him.
Some of the Pharisees, or religious leaders, come to Jesus warning him that Herod wants to kill him. Herod is part of the group that is actively opposing Jesus. They are afraid what he will do to their power and their lifestyle. They have decided to reject him completely and remove him from their society.
The Pharisees that come to warn Jesus are not yet followers. They find him interesting. They haven't completely committed to following him, but they are not yet willing to have him taken out of the way. They may want to know more and explore further.
Then there are those that are coming to Jesus for help. They are the ones looking for healing and deliverance. They know they need Jesus. Maybe they are not willing to completely commit to him yet, but they know they need what only he can offer.
Finally, there is the group that is not mentioned in the text. They are his disciples that are always with him (and that end up telling Luke about this story so he can write it down). They have committed to following him no matter what.
So where are you? Do you identify with Herod and Jesus' enemies? Have you rejected him completely? Do you identify with the religious leaders? Are you curious about Jesus and wanting to know more? Do you identify with those coming for healing and deliverance? Have you not committed your life to following him completely but you recognize that you need what only he can offer? Do you count yourself among his disciples? Have you made a commitment to follow him no matter what? Where do you stand when it comes to Jesus?
David W. Dalton
Exploring the Text: Jesus' response to us
When the Pharisees come to warn Jesus that Herod is trying to kill him, Jesus' response is immediate. He tells them to tell Herod that he is going to continue what he is doing; he will not change his plans because of Herod's opposition. He is going to continue delivering and healing no matter what. It is encouraging when we realize that Jesus keeps doing Jesus things regardless of what else is going on in the world around us.
Jesus also speaks directly to those who are actively seeking to kill him, and will one day be successful. Jesus expresses his heart and his love for them when he says that he longs to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks. Despite their opposition, despite their rejection, despite they desire to kill Jesus, Jesus's love for them remains unchanged. Despite his continued love for them, they would not be moved; they were not willing to accept him. This is one of the sobering thoughts in all of Scripture. Jesus loves us unconditionally, where we embrace him or oppose him. His love for us never changes. What changes is how we respond to him. Are we willing to accept his unconditional love or not? They were not willing, are we?
David W. Dalton
When the Pharisees come to warn Jesus that Herod is trying to kill him, Jesus' response is immediate. He tells them to tell Herod that he is going to continue what he is doing; he will not change his plans because of Herod's opposition. He is going to continue delivering and healing no matter what. It is encouraging when we realize that Jesus keeps doing Jesus things regardless of what else is going on in the world around us.
Jesus also speaks directly to those who are actively seeking to kill him, and will one day be successful. Jesus expresses his heart and his love for them when he says that he longs to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks. Despite their opposition, despite their rejection, despite they desire to kill Jesus, Jesus's love for them remains unchanged. Despite his continued love for them, they would not be moved; they were not willing to accept him. This is one of the sobering thoughts in all of Scripture. Jesus loves us unconditionally, where we embrace him or oppose him. His love for us never changes. What changes is how we respond to him. Are we willing to accept his unconditional love or not? They were not willing, are we?
David W. Dalton