Luke 13:32-35; 14:1-6   The Pharisees try to persuade Jesus to turn back.. to stay out of Jerusalem.. by claiming that Herod was looking to kill Him.  But... Jesus would  not turn back.  He had to get to Jerusalem and He would continue doing the things that His Father has ordained for Him until the last. 

Jesus knew that Jerusalem would be the place of His death.  He knew that He would enter its gates where they would proclaim "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!"  And He knew that they would then reject Him even while He longed for their salvation.  He knew it all and He would not turn back. 

Jesus said that He would continue to "cast out demons and  perform cures" until He reached His goal.  He still had works to do and lessons to teach. He was still giving His listeners a chance to make the right choice so that they might be saved.  

His next stop was at the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees.  As they were all watching Him closely, Jesus was introduced to a man with dropsy.  This man must have been one of the invited ones or perhaps a relative?  How else would he have entered the home of the Pharisee?  So, Jesus asks the question that they wanted to catch Him on... 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" 

They had already condemned Him for doing this before.. so why do this again? They held their breathes waiting and watching.. and " they kept silent.. "   Jesus took the man and healed him.  "And He said to them, 'Which one of you shall have a son or an ox fall into a well and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?' "  None could answer Him, because they knew He was right. 

Father, thank You for showing us the kindness and compassion of the Lord Jesus.  He knew the day was coming when He would suffer and die for the sins of all mankind and He knew that many would miss the truth.  He gave opportunities for them.. over and over and over.. to see You.. to hear Your Words.. and they "would not".  So many today are just the same.. they focus on their own ideals and plans and they miss the Truth. They miss Jesus Christ who alone is the way of salvation. Let the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill us and overflow from our hearts that we might be moved with such great compassion for the lost.. that we might use every opportunity to lead others to Him. Let Your Kingdom come! Amen.