When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
Was it this resolute determination that caused the disciples to respond with thoughts of violence?
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?"
Yet the resolution determination Jesus shows is not violent. It isn't even pushy. It is insistent. It refuses to turn aside. It is a determination that can encounter rejection and find another way. Isn't this the story of God's love for us? It encounters rejection after rejection and keeps trying and trying until it finds a way to win us back.
Time after time we reject this offer of love. Yet it is this love which we desire above all things. This love is the desire of nations. Even the very ones who reject Jesus must eventually realize that only in this love can there be true fulfillment.
Many peoples and strong nations shall come
to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem
and to implore the favor of the LORD.
Jesus does not wipe out the cities that reject his offer because the offer is made for their sake. His resolute determination is to find a way to show them his love in spite of them being closed to his invitation. He finally does so perfectly and completely on the cross. He is lifted high. His love draws all people to himself.
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
"My home is within you."
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