How Jesus Longs For Us

 

 

 Lk 13:31-35

Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem

³¹ At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

³² He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ ³³ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

³⁴ “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. ³⁵ Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Using the familiar image of a hen gathering and protecting her young, Jesus tries to illustrate the love God has for us. He knows his mission carried out with the greatest love possible,includes his own death, yet he does not shy away from it.  He weeps for the pain of knowing that for many, his sacrifice will be in vain, and surely to this day, it was, but that does not stop him. "I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day." Let this be our prayer, our attitude from now on. 

 

Bro. Rene

 

Dear Jesus, I cannot predict what this day will will bring or ask of me, but let me follow you with a generous and open heart, not turning my back on what you ask of me, knowing how much you long for me. Amen.