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Luke 13:31-33
In the previous passage Jesus has insulted the Pharisees with His comments about the first will be last, and the last first. Later that same day, some Pharisees came to Jesus with a warning about Herod wanting to kill Him. But more important to the Pharisees was that they were showing their wishes for Him to leave town. Some scholars believe that this was a sincere warning, but in the gospel of Luke there is no place where the Pharisees are portrayed as wanting to help Jesus. The popular belief is that the Pharisees consulted one another and came up with this conclusion as an excuse to get Jesus to leave the area in their frustration at Jesus for His comments against them.
In Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees, He teaches of His power over Satan and his demons, His power over the physical body, and proclaims His perfection over it all on the coming third day. Jesus is confident of the events that will take place in Jerusalem in His near future, and notes that a prophet should not perish outside of Jerusalem. The Bible teaches us in Luke 2:49 that as a boy, Jesus proclaims to His earthly parents as they found Him in the temple in Jerusalem that He must be about His Father’s business. In Luke 13:33 Jesus proclaims once again about concluding His Father’s business in Jerusalem.
This is an example and promise that Jesus is the Messiah that the prophets spoke of in the Old Testament.
Jesus gives a hint to His future death on the cross, His power over Satan, and His resurrection when He will be perfected in His mission in coming to be the Savior of the world (John 1:29, 3:16-17). In John 10:9 we are taught by Jesus that He is the door (narrow gate) that is spoken of in Luke 13:24. All who enter by Him will be saved. In John 1:10-13 Jesus teaches that His own (the Israelites) will not receive Him, but to those who do (including the Gentiles) will become children of God by believing in Him; those who are born of God. He teaches us that the first will be last and the last will be first in Luke 13:30.
Jesus is making the transition to include all people in His coming act of salvation on the cross. Salvation in Christ Jesus is for all who will believe in Him (John 1:12-13). Jesus is making it clear that His mission is to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17). This is to include you too! Seek Jesus today with the sincerity of your heart, and you will find Him.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for this passage that teaches us that Jesus has power over sin, death, and Satan. Thank You for extending salvation to everyone through Jesus, that by believing in Him we may receive forgiveness of our sins and have life everlasting with You in heaven. In Jesus name I pray, amen.