Lament for Israel Over Rejection (Luke 13:31-35)

(Ary Scheffer - "Christ Weeping Over Jerusalem - 1851)

Lest there be any doubt about the warnings of rejection Jesus is delivering, we now get the lament over the nation. Israel is not just in danger, they have rejected God’s Messiah. Jesus is warned that going to Jerusalem is dangerous, for Herod wants to see Him dead. Jesus declares (again) His intent to go to Jerusalem and to His death. However, he mourns over the nation that will mostly not accept Him. God loves His nation, even though it has repeatedly rejected Him and His word, killed and stoned His messengers, and will ultimately crucify His Messiah.

We know that this was ultimately God’s plan. He set it all in motion from the very day humanity rebelled in the garden. He established the Roman empire, set up the conditions for the good news to spread around the inhabited world. He appointed Herod, Pilate, and Ceasar. He chose Judas, knowing his heart. Jesus had to die the sacrificial death for humanity. However, it is still tragic that so many people, including the nation of Israel that had God’s special revelation and prophets constantly reminding them to turn and follow, continue to choose to go their own way rather than submit to the loving Creator.

Jesus mourns the rejection of the people who He came to dwell among and die for. From this point on, His ministry will largely be teaching the disciples and heading inevitably toward the cross.