How Often Would I Have Gathered: Matt. 23:37

Matthew 23:37 – "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!"

Oh, I so much want to begin with the analogy of the chicken gathering her brood but think it wise to set the context of today’s verse. In the first verses of Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a scathing rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees. As a matter of fact, his exact words to them are, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees!" He not only says this once but seven times and calls them names – hypocrites(7x’s), blind guides (1x), blind fools (1x), whitewashed tombs (1x), brood of vipers (1x), and serpents (1x). Strong language for the rulers of his day. Strong warnings for those who were entrusted with the care of His chicks.

God had sent many emissaries to the people of Israel who clearly pointed them in the right way but instead they "killed the prophets and stoned those who are sent to it!" This particular group of scribes and Pharisees was so prideful that they were sure had they lived in the times of their fathers they would not have taken the same action. But we know better. Not only would they have joined in, but they would very soon kill the Son of God. Jesus knew this.

Doesn't it make you weep to see the compassion Jesus shows here for Israel (including the scribes and Pharisees), his dearly loved people yet in many ways his enemies? Can't you hear the empathy in the words "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem"? Haven't you uttered similar words over friends and family? These people hate him and yet he loves them. He loves them enough to want to gather them as a hen gathers her chicks, but they wouldn't let him.

Such imagery conjures up in my mind the very maternal instinct of a plump hen in a slight tizzy, wings stretched as far as they'll reach, corralling her babes under her body. Danger is near and they need protection or night is coming and it's time to be tucked in. Once gathered, her chicks can be barely seen because she encompasses the whole brood. While she offers a warm place of safety and rest, there needs to be a word of warning, you do not want to mess with "this chick". "Hen pecked" will have a whole new meaning.

Jesus was offering his dearly loved people, Israel, gentle yet fierce love and protection and they would not have it. Hard to imagine isn't it.

Jesus is offering the same love and protection to us through his death on the cross? Will we have it?

Psalm 91:1 -- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

by Debbie Stengele