31 Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave 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 reach My goal.’ 33 “Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem. Luke 13:31–33 (NAS)

Jesus when warned that Herod was tracking him down to kill him offered some interesting comments. It’s a passage like this that causes Jesus movie makers to portray the Lord more sardonically. Jesus says to the Pharisees that were so helpful, “Go and tell that fox” what I do all day long, cast out demons, perform cures, and by the way, I’m coming to Jerusalem.

We might not see Jesus as a leather-wearing, honey-eating prophet, but what the Lord uttered would soon materialize exactly as pronounced. The day of his “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem was right around the corner.

My kindergartner understanding of this event was that he was greeted by adoring fans in that city, waiting to catch a glimpse of the new rock star. Truth is they had to be told who he was, and it was his disciples and close followers chanting, ”Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” not the citizens. (Matthew 21:19, Luke 19:37-39)

10 When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:10–11

He went on to predict to the Pharisees his fate, and that of the city.

34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! 35 “Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” Luke 13:34–35

It’s essential that a prophet be right all the time, “today, tomorrow, and the next day.” There is ample proof that Jesus was killed by his own people and that Jerusalem was leveled by the Romans in 70 A.D.

43 “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, 44 and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:43–44