Chapter 13: 18-35

vs 18 – 35

In the business of scripting movies, they talk about scenes that have “exposition” and scenes that have “narrative”. This is very much a narrative scene – it outlines the next phase of Jesus’ ministry, in Jerusalem. But along the way there’s still a lot happening.

Jesus starts with a couple of kingdom parables. The images Jesus selects for these – a mustard seed, some yeast – suggest that Jesus was simply using things that they saw along the way as sources of metaphors. And they’re good metaphors at that – describing the way the Kingdom grows (like a mustard seed, from small seed to large plant) and the way that the Kingdom penetrates the world (like yeast).

In the middle of all of this we see Jesus visited by some Pharisees – remember, some were on His side! – who warm him that Herod is going to try to kill Him.

Perhaps it’s because Jesus is too busy to worry. Or maybe it’s because He knows that His end isn’t coming up just yet, and He knew that He was invulnerable until the Plan was complete. Either way, Herod doesn’t impress Him. In fact, Jesus even tells Herod right where he’s going to be for the next three days – almost daring Him to try something.

But Jesus isn’t full of bravado. In fact He’s deeply moved.

Alone of the people in His group, Jesus is able to tell what is coming soon, and this leads to His lament for Jerusalem.

The accusation He tearfully declares to Jerusalem are surrounding the big mega theme for the last few chapters – hypocrisy. Jesus sums up the point nicely – “I wish”. Jesus wishes there was some way He could “call” Jerusalem and have it respond.

Alas that would not be; at least not now. Jesus knows He’s going to face at least part of the next few days totally alone.