A Spiritual Life in Which We Should Die in Jerusalem
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December 24, 2017 |
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 Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
"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).
One day, some Pharisees came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Go away, for Herod wants to kill You." When Herod heard that Jesus had performed signs and wonders and condemned sin and unrighteousness, he was afraid thinking that John the Baptist had risen from the dead (Matthew 14:2).
When He heard about it, Jesus referred to Herod as a fox and told the Pharisees what they should say to Herod. Then, He added, "It cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem." This passage is known as one that is difficult to interpret. What spiritual meaning does it carry?
1. The reason Jesus referred to Herod as a fox
When the Pharisees said Herod wanted to kill Him, in Luke 13:32 Jesus said "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal.'"
Why did He liken Herod to a fox? It is because Herod, who had already killed John the Baptist, wanted to kill Jesus as well, and it was an evil deed that a dirty and evil fox would do. Jesus helped the poor, cured the sick and restored those with infirmities. He preached Heaven, Hell, and the judgment; and He delivered the news of the living God. He tried hard day and night to lead even one more soul to salvation. But Herod still tried to kill this Jesus who did only good works. It was just as though he tried to destroy the kingdom of God and stood against God. That is why Jesus called him a fox.
There are people who are like a fox today. They judge and condemn. They even persecute churches that bring down the Holy Spirit's fiery works and that reveal God's glory. Their evil is like that of foxes. You must not let it happen that the Lord should ever call you a 'fox' by doing something that disturbs the kingdom of God with your words or actions.
2. The spiritual meaning of 'today and tomorrow' and 'the third day'
Then, what did He mean by the remark, "Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal"?
'Today and tomorrow' refers to the period when Jesus would fulfill the work of God before being hung on the cross. Thus, the first half of the remark means that He would never stop seeking to achieve the work of God and He would continue to extend His kingdom until He would die on the cross in obedience to God's plan.
The second half, "the third day I reach My goal", signified that He would die but on the third day He would overcome death and rise again to open the door to human salvation. This was the way He would fulfill the providence of God perfectly.
If you are united with the Lord with belief in the providence of the cross and His resurrection, you will be set free from the curse of the law that says, "The wages of sin is death" and you will be able to receive salvation (Romans 6:23; 10:9). Only through the resurrection which happens after complete death can the will of God wanting to save all people be perfected. That is why Jesus said, "The third day I reach My goal."
Everything related to human salvation was done under God's plan that had been set before the ages. In other words, without God's permission, no one could not stop Jesus nor could they kill Him (John 19:11).
Thus, Jesus didn't submit to any persecution and threat while He performed His ministry to fulfill His duty as the Savior. When the time came, He took all sins of mankind and died on the cross under the permission of God. He finally resurrected and thereby fulfilled the will of God completely.
3. The meaning and lesson of Jesus' word, 'It cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem'
In the verse 33, Jesus said, "Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem." Jesus endured every persecution and hardship. He was despised and took on the shame of the cross. He took the way only with 'Amen'. In doing so, He gained the glory of sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This Jesus said, "It cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem". But He died on Golgotha which was outside of Jerusalem. The apostles Paul and Peter also martyred in Rome, not in Jerusalem, Israel. Most of Jesus' disciples were known to martyr in other countries while they were preaching the gospel. Then, what did Jesus mean by the words?
Jerusalem means "the city of peace." Isaiah 52:1 refers to Jerusalem as "the holy city". In Jerusalem was the temple of God. And the city kept the heart and will of God. This city spiritually symbolizes the Word of God (Isaiah 2:3).
Therefore, His remark saying "It cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem" means that prophets should live in the Word of God and die in the Word as well. If one says he is a prophet but he lives outside of Jerusalem, that is, outside of the Word, then, he is a false prophet. True prophets must not leave the Word even if trials, tests, and persecutions come to them and even if the worldly wealth, glory, and authority tempt them. They must live and die in the Word.
This is not just about prophets but about God's children. God's children must live in the Word (1 John 1:7). If they live in the Word, they naturally die in the Word as well. In the Word, they break their pride. They also destroy their own thoughts, speculations, and self-frameworks. As the apostle Paul confessed, "I die daily," they will die thoroughly by the Word. It is a life to die in Jerusalem and to live in the Word.
Living in the Word of God and putting your 'self' to death daily, this is a life that is to die in Jerusalem. This kind of life leads to true and eternal life. On the contrary, living outside of the Word and living a life to satisfy your 'self', this is a death outside of Jerusalem leading to eternal death. It is just as Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." He also said in Matthew 19:17, "But if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 'a life to die in Jerusalem' refers to living in the Word of God and putting your 'self' to death according to the Word of God. I urge you to live such a life. I pray in the name of the Lord by living a life to completely die in Jerusalem you will enjoy an eternal life in New Jerusalem.
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