Thursday, March 10, 2016
Luke 13:34 O 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, but you were not willing!
LOVE THAT LONGS TO SAVE
The simile Jesus used in this verse is a touching one. Visualize a hawk flying above, its wings folded, its eyes concentrated on the farmyard below, its menacing claws ready to grasp its prey. The mother hen sees the hawk circling and so with an anxious "cluck, cluck, cluck!" calls out to her chicks to find shelter under her protecting wings.
That's what Jesus did as often as He shared the Gospel with the people of Jerusalem. Whenever He presented Himself as the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, it was a loving invitation: "Come, find safety in Me from the threatening peril of your sins and the menacing specter of eternal death. Trust in Me, your Savior, and you’ll live forever!" Sadly, most did not accept His gracious offer. How it caused His heart to break!
Still today the Lord extends the offer of salvation to the world wherever the Gospel is proclaimed. What reason we have to thank Him for blessing us with the ability to lay hold of His invitation with the hand of faith. Let's ask Him to guard our faith through His Word and Sacrament and keep us safe from the Enemy's attack beneath the shadow of His wings. Let's pray that many more may find salvation in Him too!
The Savior calls; let every ear Attend the heavenly sound.
Ye doubting souls, dismiss your fear; Hope smiles reviving round.
For every thirsty, longing heart Here streams of bounty flow
And life and health and bliss impart To banish mortal woe.
Dear Savior, draw reluctant hearts; To Thee let sinners fly
And take the bliss Thy love imparts And drink and never die.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 281:1-2, 5)
