Chickens

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!”

Matthew 23:37

This verse is called the lament over Jerusalem. Jesus loved the people of this city, and the country and people they represented. Jesus came to rescue and save the Jewish people, His own people, and they rejected Him. The pain of rejection was superseded by the pain of knowing the outcome of their rejection. They themselves would be rejected by God. Jesus is weeping over these people and all who reject Him. He knows the consequences, even if we don’t fully realise it. He is not willing that any should perish and He weeps at the foolishness in us that keeps us away from His love.

It is not just about eternal punishment, but about knowing Jesus and being so happy in His care. The hen cares for and protects her chickens by gathering them under her wing, she is so kind to them and the provider for the family. Even the animals protect their young and gather them to themselves to ensure they are safe. But somehow humans don’t feel their need of this, and think we can manage alone, or with the people and provision of this life. Sometimes it is good if we don’t have these blessings, because it shows us we need much more than bread and water to sustain us.

We are spiritual beings, and need the friendship of God to make us whole people. We cannot have this friendship, because we won’t come to the Lord Jesus and get our sinful ways forgiven and sorted out. He waits to gather is in. He wants to bless us beyond what we can imagine, but we resist. How foolish we are!

When God sends people to help us and show us the way, we reject them too. We can find ourselves despising the message, the messenger and the God who sent them. This was the state of these people in Jerusalem all those years ago, and is the state of too many people today also.

The Lord Jesus wants to bring you into His fellowship and friendship right today. He is offering it to us today. Will He weep over you because you are so foolish to not come to Him, or will He rejoice that you are safe with Him. The place of safety so only in Him, for there is no own else who is able to save us and keep us and bring us safely to heaven and home with Him. The reason people will be lost, and are lost even as they live in this world, is because they won’t come to their Saviour. They are like recalcitrant children who refuse help because they are so foolish and stubborn. The lip is curled, the brow has a frown and the feet are heading in the opposite direction!

If you are sheltering under those mighty wings, you are wise. Those wings will keep you safe from every threat of harm. You will have the confidence of knowing that God is for you and not against you, no matter the circumstances. Snuggle in close. It is the place of rest and protection.

“I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

John 10:28

This verse shows us who Jesus is and His powerful claims for Himself. He is able to save and keep us because of who He is. No one can snatch us away, ever, we are forever safe and sound under the protecting wings of God.

“May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24