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Luke 13:31-35 finds Jesus on God’s mission. He is busy “driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow”; he desires to protect the people of Jerusalem: “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings”; and he desires to reach his goal – Jerusalem, where he will die.

But Jesus’ mission is fraught with obstacles!

For one thing, Jerusalem does not want to be join him – “you were not willing” to respond to his protection and care. And so, he will leave them alone – “your house is left to you desolate” – until Palm Sunday, when they will say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” as he enters Jerusalem (Luke 19:38).

And for another, “Herod wants to kill” him. Others also are conspiring against him. His days are numbered. But Jesus says that he is too busy with God’s mission to die now, and moreover, “no prophet can die outside of Jerusalem”, so Herod will get his way only later, when Jesus goes to Jerusalem. In the meantime, Herod must wait.

Jesus continues on God’s mission, despite all obstacles. He is focused and determined.

We also face obstacles as we live out our faith in this world, as we live our mission, the mission God has given us. It is not always easy to maintain our faith in our personal lives; and it is even less easy to maintain our faith in the challenges and complexities of the world we live in. We need to be more like Jesus: focused and determined.

Our readings today provide some helpful advice for us:

First, we can take hold of God’s covenant, God’s promises. In Genesis 15:8-9, God is assuring Abram of his blessing and to make him a great nation, but Abram is beset by challenges, not least of which is that he has no heir. Abram eventually says to God, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I shall gain possession of it [of the land]?” And God engages with Abram’s need for reassurance and promise. The Scripture says, “So the Lord said to him…” and we get the instructions for the covenant made between God and Abram. God offers this covenant promise in response to Abram’s need for reassurance. Similarly, we can ask God for reassurance. And we can rely on the many promises God has already made to us through his son in the Scriptures.

Second, we can take up Jesus’ offer of protection to “gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Luke 13:34). This is such a beautiful image of Jesus as a mother hen, protecting her young ones, by sheltering them under her wings. Our reading from Psalm 27:5 speaks similarly: “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock”. Here again is a wonderful image of God’s protection within a holy tent, a tabernacle, where we will be safe from harm.

And third, we can be tenacious and determined in our mission, trusting in a trustworthy God. Philippians 4:1 encourages us: “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!” and Psalm 27:14 concludes, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”. Life is often hard, but we need to persevere.

Take hold of God’s promises,
seek shelter under God’s wings,
stand firm,
be strong,
take heart and
wait for the Lord.