While Jesus was busy going through towns and teaching people, some Pharisees gave him some bad news: he should leave because Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” (Luke‬ 13‬:32‬,33).‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I know this was a serious conversation about a serious topic, but picturing it also makes me chuckle. My Jesus heard that a Jewish king wanted him dead, and he basically dismissed it: “Ah, I’ll pass. I don’t have time for that. I’m very busy traveling and healing.” 

Jesus knew for sure that ultimately he would go to Jerusalem and be killed. After all, he came to earth to die for us, and nothing was going to stop that goal. But he had work to do until then, and nothing was going to get in the way. 

We know we will die too, at a time that only God knows. Until then, we have a purpose that requires our full focus: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8). 

Each day as we face distractions, temptations, and struggles, we remind ourselves that we must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—until God calls us home.