Luke 13:31-35
To the End!
I don’t know any racer that ever plans on not finishing their race. It would defeat the entire point of racing. To run the majority of a race and stop right before the finish line. Now, you all probably don’t know this about me yet, but I’m a pretty big fan of IndyCar. For every year, we hear the drivers talk about their hopes of winning the race, whether it’s their first or second or maybe even fifth. It doesn’t matter where in the pack the drivers are, they’re all looking towards the prize. They all want to finish the race in first place and even if they’re not in first, their goal is to finish. I remember one year that I went. One of the drivers who hadn’t won ever before was well on his way towards a win. He had over half a lap lead going into the final two laps. But as he takes the final turn of the race, he took too wide of a turn trying to avoid another car and crashed right into the wall. His car stopped only about one hundred feet short of the finish line. Such a short distance was the difference between him finishing in first place or as he finished back in 25th. Now, faith has been compared may times to a race. We run, seeking to complete the race so that we may receive the prize. It wouldn’t make sense to run all the way, only to stop just short of the finish line, or even to stop at any point in the middle without receiving the promised reward.
For today, in our Gospel lesson, Jesus tells us that he will finish his course. He’s going all the way to the end no matter what that means... and he knows exactly what is before him. As some Pharisees come to warn Jesus about his impending fate in Jerusalem, Jesus remains undeterred. He came to run a race, to finish it... and that’s exactly what he’ll do. So, let us learn today:
JESUS WILL FINISH HIS COURSE!
I.
No one said the race would be easy. In fact, we’re even told that it won’t be. Jesus knew this as well so he wasn’t very surprised by what these Pharisees told him. As we read, “At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus], ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you,” Luke 13:31. Now, for all the bad report we give the Pharisees, we must also remember that there are a number from their ranks that do follow Jesus, and do believe in him. Here, we have a handful of Pharisees that try to warn Jesus of the harm Herod seeks against him. But let us understand Jesus’ response also, “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,” Luke 13:32-33. Jesus is well aware of Herod’s schemes. In fact, you see Jesus in a way asserting his authority over Herod. For Jesus is the one who casts out demons, cures illnesses, and performs many other miracles over the powers of body and nature, yet Herod thinks he can kill him? But of course, Jesus is already in his state of humiliation. He has left his heavenly throne behind to become man. He set aside his glory and power and majesty, knowing that he was going to die. And he wasn’t going to stop racing towards that goal, no matter what it took.
Yet, Jesus doesn’t stay focused on himself. Rather, he turns his focus towards his people. What follows are some of the saddest words found in the bible. “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 would not!” Luke 13:34. Jesus laments the unbelief of his people. Jesus laments that many people in this world have given up their race before finishing it. Jesus laments that the very blessings of God given through the prophets and apostles are rejected by putting them to death. And so too, it’s right that we should lament the condition of our world. How sad a thing it is to see a fellow brother or sister in Christ fall away from faith. How sad a thing it is to see a child, sibling, or parent give up their race before the end. We wish greatly that they’d be gathered back to the Lord, yet for whatever reason, they’re not willing. “Behold, your house is forsaken,” Luke 13:35.
II.
Even as we lament, let us not lose heart. Let us not fall into despair for those who have fallen away. For none of us would be able to finish the race if it weren’t for Jesus seeing his race all the way to the end. In this, we must reorient our understanding of evangelism towards those who have fallen away, towards our own family members even. This is a marathon, not a sprint. For the only way to win back those who have forsaken the Lord is to be persistent and consistent with them. We must realize that it may take them months, years, or potentially even decades to heed God’s word. Nor does it all happen through us alone. As Paul comments elsewhere, one may plant the seed, another may water, and in the end, God will give the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). We may be first in the line of many who will draw them back to the Lord. Our Lord is a gracious God and one who continuously seeks to gather his children, even those who have wandered away.
Indeed, Jesus will finish his course. He hasn’t come to stop shy of the finish line. He knows what awaits him and he isn’t deterred. Even as he says, “And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Luke 13:35. Jesus desires to come not as a king of terror but as a king with blessings. Jesus desires to gather his people under his wing. And so, the people will say, “Blessed is he.” Only to say in a few days’ time, “Crucify him”. Yes, Jesus will go to the cross for them and for us. There on the cross, Jesus will utter, “It is finished.” His course is complete. His race is done. He’ll have paid the price for all of our sins, for all of our wanderings, for all those who stopped shy of the finish line. And to them now, he offers forgiveness. He offers mercy and grace. No longer does he call our house forsaken, but forgiven!
Jesus has finished his course. He has finished our salvation by going to the cross to die for you and me. And now, he comes to strengthen us, to run with us that we too may finish our race. So, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and his cross that God may gather us together into his eternal kingdom. In Jesus’ name! Amen!