Luke Chapter 13: Verses 31-33 (NIV-UK)
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’ He replied, ‘Go and tell that fox, “I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.”
In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day – for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
Jesus knew He had to fulfil His calling and He was not prepared to let anything, or anyone, stand in His way. He was prepared to keep going, and even although the threat that He was warned of was a very real one, He didn’t let that put Him off.
Sometimes very real threats or obstacles come across our paths. On occasion we may have to dig very deep to keep on track with the things we need to do. How easily diverted are we in the face of opposition or difficulty? A very wise Pastor I knew used to often talk about the need for Christians to have “Stickability”. If Jesus had been put off by Herod’s threats, and not completed His mission, then where might we be? – without hope. Jesus said He would continue to press on, one day at a time, and sometimes that’s the way we need to do it. It’s not always about next week, next month or even next year. Sometimes its just about pressing on today, tomorrow and the day after that. But we are not on that road by ourselves. Because Jesus went that way before us, and knows exactly what its like, He sent His Holy Spirit as our Guide and Comforter to come with us.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful for the example set by Jesus, and that He knows and understands how difficult it can be just to “stick in”. Grant me the desire to do that in difficult times, with the guidance and direction of Your Holy Spirit. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.