It is not possible that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem

Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Leave and go from here, for Herod wants to kill You.” And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish.’ Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day, for it is not possible that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.

Luke 13:31-33

Introduction

Why does Jerusalem play such a central role in the story of the gospel? It is the city where Solomon built the first Temple and set the center of power for the nation of Israel. It continued, after the kingdoms split, to be the seat of the southern kingdom of Judah. And because of this, it was the city God sent His prophets. He sent prophets to call Jerusalem to repentance, but they continually hardened their hearts and would not listen. But why did He continue to send prophets there? Why would God pursue the very people who so openly and blatantly reject Him?

Consider the comforting words of Deuteronomy 7:7-8, which states “Yahweh did not set His affection on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because Yahweh loved you and kept the 0ath which He swore to your fathers, Yahweh brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” The Lord does not choose a people first who would choose Him. Instead, He chooses a people out of love and fidelity.

You shall be My witnesses

Acts 1:8 is one passage where Jesus commissions the apostles to take the gospels to the ends of the earth, stating “you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the end of the earth.” But why does He start with Jerusalem and all Judea?

Jesus went to Jerusalem knowing He would be killed there. He had planned it since before creation (Revelation 13:8). This was the place and time when the most heinous rejection of God in the history of humanity would take place. And yet it was also the place and time when the most gracious and glorious act of God toward mankind would ever be performed. It was in Jerusalem that Jesus laid down His life as the ransom for many, making salvation possible for all who would call on His name (Romans 10:13). Jesus sent His apostles to Jerusalem first because they were the most sinful generation to walk the earth. The gospel has the power to save all men, no matter how deep and terrible their sins might be, up to and including the sin of murdering the Lord of Glory.

The foremost of sinners

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he exhorts his student that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.” Christ did not go to Jerusalem because it was glorious. He did not call you because you were righteous. He went to Jerusalem and He called you because of your exceedingly great sin. He is greatly glorified by defeating great sin. He is greatly magnified by destroying magnificent evil. Jesus Christ comes to sinners to save them. Do not believe for a moment that your sin is too great for Him to overcome. He can and will, having redeemed a Church out of Jerusalem and the great Apostle Paul, the foremost of sinners.

May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.