“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, our house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed are those who come in the name of the Lord.’” (Luke 13:34-35)
About fifteen years ago, I became close to a patient with severe respiratory disease. He went home, seeming close to death, I was surprised to see him a couple years later. He wanted Jesus, so I introduced him. We prayed together. He believed in Jesus and received the Holy Spirit. When I was sixteen someone did the same for me.
God pursues a relationship with us. He wants to heal us and take our cares so we can enjoy life to its fullest. God has been trying to gather the Jews for over 2,000 years. They still think they can save themselves by obeying Old Testaments laws. They stoned the prophets and crucified the One who could save them. Their houses are desolate because they don’t have the Holy Spirit. They aren’t looking for Jesus and most likely won’t see him until they look into the kingdom from the outside and see how blessed Christians are. Then, they will say, “blessed are those who comes in the name of the Lord.” They will want God’s love and blessings and will recognize Jesus as their savior.
Heavenly Father, I am so blessed. Help me to act so others see Your love in me and want to be part of Your kingdom. Give me one of those you are trying to gather, so I can show them the One who removes desolation. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Some people do not want to be gathered. They think that Christians have to live by too many rules. They see the church as a negative place, a judgemental place. They hear about the fear of God and do not understand that it is all about the love of god. I pray that God can gather them and show them, in the most positive way, that following Christ and God will bring them happiness and enrich their lives.
Well said. The only rule is love.