Unwilling Jerusalem:

Context:

• Jesus had harsh words for the religious leaders of the day.
• They shut off the kingdom of heaven from people.
• They work hard on making converts, which are ‘sons of hell’.
• They put value in the wrong things.
• They tithe, but fail in justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
• They work on appearance, but are really self-indulgent.
• They appear righteousness but are full of hypocrisy.
• They are offspring of those who shed the blood of the prophets.
• They will mistreat the prophets and wise men sent by God.
• Now certain Pharisees come to tell Jesus that Herod is seeking to kill Him and He should “get away from here”.

Luke 13:32-33 “...And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem...’

Do you think the Pharisees were really concerned about Jesus well being?

• Many think they were probably sent by Herod to get Him to move along.
• The response that Jesus gives is consistent with the idea that Herod would like Him to move out of the area.

What did Jesus know?

• He was going to perish at Jerusalem.

Matthew 23:37,38 “...Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. "Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!...”

Luke 13:34-35 “...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! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’...”

What did Jesus want for Jerusalem?

• Jesus longs to gather His people together, but they are unwilling.

What happens when Jerusalem wants what Jerusalem wants?

• It rejects the voice of God that is sent to it.
• It misses out on the unity and safety that God offers.
• The end result is desolation.

What happens when we want what we want?

• We reject the voice of God that is sent to us.
• We miss out on the unity and safety that God offers.
• The end result is desolation.

When does Jesus say Jerusalem will see Him?

• When it is said "...blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord..."

• Psalm 118:26 “...Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD...”

• Luke 19:37-38 “...As he was drawing near - already on the way down the Mount of Olives - the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!...”

•  The people will say this during the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.