How does Jesus' mission in Luke 13:32 connect to His overall ministry? Setting the Scene Luke 13:31–33 paints a moment of tension: Pharisees warn Jesus about Herod’s murderous intent. Jesus answers, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’ ” Threefold Mission in One Sentence • Driving out demons – liberating people from satanic bondage • Healing – reversing the curse of sickness and previewing the coming kingdom’s wholeness • “On the third day I will reach My goal” – forecasting His death–resurrection climax Every phrase echoes themes already woven through Luke and the rest of the Gospels. Consistent with His Inaugural Manifesto (Luke 4:18-19) • “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me… to proclaim freedom… recovery of sight… to set the oppressed free.” • Casting out demons and healing are literal fulfillments of that Spirit-anointed charter. • Proclamation and power work together; the word verifies the deed, the deed validates the word. The Kingdom Unfolding in Word and Deed • Luke 4:43 – “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God… for this is why I was sent.” • Luke 7:22 – the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, demons flee: a living sermon on the kingdom. • Acts 10:38 – Peter later summarizes: “He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.” “Today, Tomorrow, Third Day” – A Prophetic Timetable • Luke 9:22; 18:31-33 – Jesus repeatedly predicts suffering, death, resurrection “on the third day.” • “I will reach My goal” (teleioō) speaks of completion, perfected purpose at Calvary and the empty tomb. • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day “according to the Scriptures.” • The phrase underscores the certainty of God’s plan despite human or demonic opposition. Steadfast Despite Threats • Luke 13:33 – “Yet I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside Jerusalem.” • Herod’s threats, like Satan’s temptations (Luke 4:13) and Nazareth’s rage (Luke 4:29-30), cannot derail the appointed path. • Jesus embodies Psalm 2:1-4 confidence: earthly rulers plot in vain; God’s Son advances unthwarted. How It All Connects • Purpose – Everything He does (miracles, teaching, confrontation) flows toward the cross and resurrection. • Power – Exorcisms and healings signal that the stronger One (Luke 11:20-22) has arrived to overthrow the devil. • Persistence – “Today and tomorrow” affirms daily ministry; “third day” guarantees ultimate victory. • Preview – Each miracle offers a foretaste of the healed, demon-free world to be secured by His atoning work. Takeaway Luke 13:32 is not an isolated remark; it is a micro-summary of Jesus’ entire earthly mission: liberate the oppressed, heal the broken, and, at the appointed third day, finish the redemptive work no earthly ruler or spiritual enemy can stop. |
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