Listen

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you! How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. Look, your house is abandoned. I tell you, you won’t see me until the time comes when you say, Blessings on the one who comes in the Lord’s name.”

Luke 13:34-35

Think

Isn’t it wild how people can reject the very thing they need? We don’t always want to hear where we’ve gone wrong. We don’t always know how to receive genuine love. Sometimes we stare a real gift in the face, but we can’t bring ourselves to accept it.

Jesus’ heart broke for the beloved people of Jerusalem. Their city stood as the center of spiritual life, and yet they turned good teachers away. They had all the religion in the world, but rejected the Rabbi Jesus.

And so he doesn’t force the love. He longs to gather them up as a hen gathers her chicks, but they were not willing.

What would it look like for you to be willing? To have Jesus gather you and tend to you, providing shelter and care? Could you take five minutes even now to close your eyes and imagine him drawing you near?

Cari Pattison

Pray

God,
There have been people I’ve tried to love and hold close,
but they were not willing.
There have been times you’ve tried to love me,
but I wasn’t willing.
I can’t make sense of it all, Jesus.
Will you gather me in?
Will you hold close the ones that I can’t?
I love you, Lord.
Amen.

Go

Thus sayeth the Lord:

No weapon formed against you shall prosper.

No weapon of defeat,

No weapon of self-doubt,

No weapon of fear or rejection or jealousy or rage.

No thing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

So be strong in the Lord and in the power of God’s might:

‘Cause nothing can stop your journey now.