“How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Matthew 23:37
We do not know if Jesus was looking over the city of Jerusalem when He spoke of how often He wanted to gather her children around him, to protect and to provide for them, but we do know for certain that He was speaking to the city of Jerusalem, and her inhabitants. But who heard His lamentation, and felt the sorrow in his heart? The disciples heard His words, but they could not sound the depths of His soul, as He poured over the city very sad words which spoke of the people’s rejection of God the Father, and His Son. He would speak of this city which “kills the prophets” and “stones those who are sent to her!” (Matt. 23:37) Not only was there the rejection of God, manifested by the rejection of His words, pleas, and warnings, but they would kill and stone those whom the Father had sent, His prophets and messengers. And now, they were on the verge of venting their rage against God by crucifying His Son, the Great Evangelist, the greatest Herald of the glory and goodness of God. Their defiance was overwhelming and boiling over with the venom of their hatred and arrogance, yet, clothed in the garb of religious piety. Well did Isaiah the prophet, long before Jesus would express His sorrow at Jerusalem’s rejection of Him, write, “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (53:1) He will go on to write of Christ, “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Who would have known the depths of Christ’s sorrow in seeing multitudes who would perish because of their rejection of Him? He was so close, and yet, they were so far away. That separation was not because of the fact that, with regard to the appearance of Christ, “He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.” (53:2) It was because “…your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.” (Is. 59:2) Jerusalem, in her pious religious and cultural arrogance would not hear a specific message to her, that there was One standing before her who alone could deal with her sin. She could not understand this because she was not willing. She could not see because she was not willing to be healed of her blindness, and this because of her pride. Her sin blocked her from Christ, and the God and Father of the Lord Jesus. She deliberately turned away from every evidence and proof of Christ’s divinity, to continue her independent way in defiance of God and His message.
Even so, Scripture tells us, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (53:5) If only Jerusalem would be willing to see that all men are like sheep gone astray, following their own way, and that God the Father has laid on Christ the iniquity of us ALL. If only she would be open to coming to Him, to hear Him, and to bow down before Him as Lord. Then she would live, and the burden of her sins would be taken forever away, and a new life given to her, a life by the Spirit of God.
The longing of Christ’s heart is to draw all men to Himself. Indeed, He clearly calls to all men by saying: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 13:28) The conditions for coming are weariness and being burdened with care. In coming to Him, He says, “Take My yoke upon you,” submit yourselves to My authority trustingly, and learn of Me. Christ, in His gentleness and lowliness, takes the weariness and burden of sin away, giving His peace and rest.
Dear Father, Give us Christ’s compassion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.