Scripture Passage: Luke 13:31–35 (NRSV)

³¹ At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³² 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.³³ 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.’³⁴ 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!³⁵ 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.’ ”

There is so much going on here I don’t know where to begin. Pharisees looking out for Jesus?! Well, that didn’t happen too often. Jesus being confrontational with Herod? He was usually looking to do his work and leave Herod to be Herod. The prophetic words spoken over Jerusalem and once again predicting his own demise leave us with a foreshadowing that is unescapable. 

And yet at the heart of the passage is the realization that Jesus was focused on what he must do. He was not worried about tomorrow or its potential pitfalls, even the ones he was being warned about. In the face of distractions Jesus was determined to keep doing what was right in front of him.

And that is they key. Tomorrow’s issues are impacted  by today’s faithfulness. What is done today, right here and right now, is the best thing we can do to be ready for whatever tomorrow holds.

So, refuse to give into the temptation of getting too far ahead of today. “Fix your eyes upon Jesus”who is the “author and perfecter of faith” and he will give you what you need when you need it.

Lord Jesus, you told us to not worry about tomorrow for today has enough issues for us to handle. Help me to stay focused upon the present with your presence.