Welcome to Sunday worship in Leesfield Parish on the Second Sunday of Lent. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9'15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you can find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "The King of Love, My Shepherd is"
Today's Gospel
Luke 13:31-35 Jesus’s sorrow for Jerusalem
Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!
How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Reflection
Jesus has a mission, and that mission is to enable God’s kingdom to break through here on earth.
Throughout His ministry, we see endless examples of Jesus casting our demons and healing the sick. It is a trademark of His mission.
He even empowers His disciples to go out and do the same work. As He continues His journey towards Jerusalem, people flock to Him in their droves, no doubt spurred into action by the stories of His new teaching and tales of His miraculous healing abilities.
At the start of the passage we hear the Pharisees giving Jesus a warning. Was this an outright threat or a friendly bit of advice? Although many Pharisees felt threatened because Jesus was exposing examples of hypocrisy, there were some, like Nicodemus, who were open to listen to Him - even if they found some of what He was saying hard to understand.
Despite the warnings, Jesus is defiant and refuses to be deflected from His mission of bringing God’s kingdom into this world. He will continue, today and tomorrow, and His work will not be completed until Jesus decides that it is time.
Jesus is also aware of two other important things – firstly Jerusalem has a reputation for being hostile towards prophets, not least those who have the temerity to challenge the establishment, (be that religious leaders or the Roman Empire) - He exclaims, “Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!”.
Secondly, He is aware of the fate that awaits Him in Jerusalem.
But Jesus will not be deterred. However, what is remarkable is how Jesus reacts. He feels sorrow for Jerusalem; He laments their inability to recognise who He really is and their reluctance to take comfort in Him. Despite what He knows about the city and its occupants, He still feels sorrow and compassion for them.
There is the wonderful metaphor when Jesus says, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem - How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings”.
He longs to gather them under His protection and show them mercy and compassion. As we read His words, we can feel His yearning to save these people and show them redemption and forgiveness, despite their wretchedness.
Yet, they are determined to reject all that Jesus represents. They refuse to be gathered into His salvation and will ultimately turn against Him.
As a consequence, He warns them that will never again see Him until the time when they are prepared to accept Him for who He truly is. The divine Son of God.
That might take some time to think about – What must it be like to be cut off from Jesus?
It’s a really sobering thought isn’t it?
Those who reject Jesus’ compassionate offer of salvation, healing and deliverance will find themselves abandoned, and left to their own devices.
As we progress through this season of Lent, and as we contemplate the ministry and passion of Jesus, we should also consider that turning our back on Jesus and all He represents has consequences.
Jesus’s longing is show mercy and unbounded love for us - but His longing for us must be met by our own longing for Him; and a longing for salvation, healing and deliverance.
As we reflect on the passion of Jesus’ during Lent, we should also remember that His death was only one part of the process by which Jesus completes his work of deliverance and healing among His people.
By His resurrection on the third day, Jesus is able to carry on His mission of healing and bringing the kingdom of God here to earth, through all of us who continue to believe in Him.
Paul
Our Prayers
Merciful Father,
We thank you for the mission of your Son Jesus,
who cares and loves each and every one of us.
Help us, as His disciples, to continue His work,
to spread the Good News of your Kingdom
and bring light to those who are in darkness.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Give Thanks, With a Grateful Heart"
