Posted by David Ogden

“Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, ‘Go away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill You.’ 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 reach My goal.”‘ Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.”

Luke 13:31-33 (NASB)

The cross was not an unintended consequence or an unplanned event. It was the “goal” of Christ’s life. Jesus understood that His ultimate destination was Calvary. He also understood that nothing was going to hasten or delay the day of His death. His response to the Pharisees shows that Christ had no fear of Herod because Herod did not have the power of life and death over Him.  Herod did not put Christ on the cross, nor did Pilate nor did the Romans, nor did the Jewish authorities. Christ willingly surrendered His life for to redeem a people for Himself.

Questions for application…

Why did the Pharisees really want Jesus to go away?

Where was Christ heading to and why?

Who is able to stop or delay the plan of Christ ?


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