Lament

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 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. 33 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.’ 34 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 were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”  Luke 13:31-35

+
The Lament
The Lord has power over demons and sickness, but he comes for your sin. He won’t leave without it. He takes it to the cross with him. The third day, he finishes his course, and the devil will be crushed, your sin removed, death undone, and the grave transformed. The Lord isn’t afraid of earthly King Herod. He fights against the powers of darkness, and he always prevails. Our sinful hearts don’t see the things that make for peace that are right in front of us. Therefore, Jesus has to come to you and rescue you. He does just that. He comes and rescues you in the water of Baptism. He comes and nourishes you and strengthens you in the preaching of his Word. He forgives you and gives you life in his Sacrament. Thanks be to God that he dwells with us and has given us the treasures of heaven.