Bound and Determined

Introduction

If you follow college basketball...you know that the men’s and women’s so-called Elite 8 matchups are being played out this weekend. The NCAA men’s and women’s tournament is called March Madness because you never know what will happen.

I like this tournament because it takes a lot of hard work, determination...and usually a little luck to advance to win a championship.

One player in the women’s tournament...Hailey Van Lith...a 5th year Senior playing for TCU (Texas Christian University)...has just taken her third team to the Elite 8...something no woman or man has done before. Talk about grit and determination.

Ms. Van Lith last week...also opened up about her mental health struggles and how her early success and fame as a basketball player was difficult due to her social media exposure, and she wasn’t prepared for that level of attention. She reported having been suicidal due to the pressure of her fame.

According to a New York Post article, Van Lith explained she heavily relied on her faith to get her through that time.

“I’ve been praying all year, like God, I know you’ve given me this testimony to share it with the world and shed your light, and I think this is the year and this is the moment,” ... “He wants people to know my story and how He’s just taken me literally from the depths of wanting to die to this moment of loving life. And even if basketball went away today, I truly would want to be here and love these people.”

God has a way of working in our lives...calling us to life...even through the depths of depsair.

God is so good. God’s love and grace can drag me and you and Hailey Van Lith even through our darkest days.

Last Week

Last week we focused on living an authentic faith...as Jesus challenged the Jewish religious leaders of his day. Remember they were so caught up in the outward appearance of purity and following God’s law above and beyond the written word...that they created burdens for God’s people...and they didn’t do anything to help them.

Jesus said Luke 11:46-47

Luke 11:46–47 MSG

He said, “Yes, and I can be even more explicit. You’re hopeless, you religion scholars! You load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift even a finger to help. “You’re hopeless! You build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed.

He closed with Luke 11:48-52

Luke 11:48–52 MSG

The tombs you build are monuments to your murdering ancestors more than to the murdered prophets. That accounts for God’s Wisdom saying, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, but they’ll kill them and run them off.’ What it means is that every drop of righteous blood ever spilled from the time earth began until now, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was struck down between altar and sanctuary, is on your heads. Yes, it’s on the bill of this generation and this generation will pay. “You’re hopeless, you religion scholars! You took the key of knowledge, but instead of unlocking doors, you locked them. You won’t go in yourself, and won’t let anyone else in either.”

Jesus was claiming his own role as God’s prophet (God’s son / God in the flesh)...and here the people in charge are rejecting him like they rejected the prophets before him.

Today

Our reading this morning...fast forwards to Luke 13 where Jesus is Bound and Determined to carry out his mission and knows that he will face death...just like God’s prophets before him. But he also knows his death...will lead to his resurrection...and the redemption of all God’s people for all time.

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Like basketball players playing for a championship...nothing is going to stop Jesus from accomplishing his mission. Okay...a basketball championship pales in comparison to eternal life and redemption won for us in Christ...but it takes grit and determination to accomplish both.

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In our reading from Luke 13:31-35, Jesus is warned by some of the Jewish religiou leaders...indicating perhaps that some of them were open to his teaching and ministry...they warn him that King Herod (a ruthless...Roman backed Jewish ruler of the Jerusale territory)...was out to kill him.

How did Jesus respond? He could not care less.

Luke 13:32 NLT

Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose.

Jesus wouldn’t be scared off...even by death threats.

It reminds me of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sitting at his kitchen table...after a bomb threat at his house...he writes:

The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory. "I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But now I am afraid. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I've come to the point where I can't face it alone." At that moment, I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced God before. It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: "Stand up for justice, stand up for truth; and God will be at your side forever." Almost at once my fears began to go. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything."

(source: https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/god-dr-kings-kitchen-table)

That’s how God works. He empowers us. He lifts us up when we are at our most broken points and gives us the strength to carry out the mission he’s given us in our lives.

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Jesus...undaunted...of death threats keeps going toward Jerusalem. He says Luke 13:33

Luke 13:33 ESV

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.’

Clearly some prophets of the Hebrew Bible (OT) did die outside of Jerusalem...but Jesus is referring to himself. HE cannot die outside of Jerusalem...no matter what earthly power or authority says or tries to do. He won’t be stopped. He can’t be stopped.

Then Jesus tenderly and graciously speaks from the heart about his people.

Luke 13:34–35 MSG

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killer of prophets, abuser of the messengers of God! How often I’ve longed to gather your children, gather your children like a hen, Her brood safe under her wings— but you refused and turned away! And now it’s too late: You won’t see me again until the day you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Closing

Jesus longed...since God’s people first took possession of the promised land (Jerusalem)...to gather...protect...love on...his people.

Then the most heartbreaking words come, “but you refused and turned away!”

Have you ever refused God’s love...God’s grace...God’s protection? I have. It’s not a good way to live. It doesn’t lead anywhere good. It’s the same whne we reject love and grace from fellow sinners saved by the grace of God. I fought love many times in many ways...but once you let it in...it changes you.

Like Rev. Dr. King...when we reach the end of ourselves...God is ready to step in...he renews our strength. Like basketball player...Haily Van Lith...we have a testimony...a story of our faith to share with others. To show them God is real...and God loves them and God can and will empower a believer to stay the course.

The warning here is that judgment follows unbelief. In this case Jerusalem will be judged (destroyed by Rome in 70 AD). That is why it’s so important for us to believe...TODAY! As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:2 quoting the prophet Isaiah...

2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT

For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

As we draw nearer to Jesus’ death on the cross and the glories of Easter morning...be epowered...be emboldened...be encouraged in your belief...trust in God’s love...trust in God’s strength. Stay the course God has you on...seeking Him above all other concern of life!

Thanks be to God...AMEN.