Devotional thoughts for Thursday

Thursday 6. November 2014 

Trinity 20 

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

In this verse we see the heart of God. Prior to this lament, Jesus had excoriated, criticized and spoken harshly about the scribes and Pharisees. He did so to shake them out of their self-righteous pride, repent and turn unto Him for salvation. They would not comply, and their refusal would have dire consequences for Jerusalem and Judea. 

The Pharisees were one of the groups that worked to have Jesus arrested. They followed in the footsteps of their ancestors: they persecuted and killed their Prophet Jesus. In spite of all of this, Jesus wanted to redeem them and gather them under His heavenly reign. 

The same is true today. Countless millions ridicule Jesus and reject Him. Yet, Jesus would gather them into His reign and be their Lord and Savior. Jesus' rich grace and lavish love assure us that we, even when we run astray, would bring us back unto the fold. 

Prayer: O Lord God, Heavenly Father, the holy city of Jerusalem rejected the prophets and stoned those who were sent to her, killing Your Son, the final prophet sent to redeem her and the whole world from their sins. Through His innocent suffering and death, gather Your Church into His loving embrace so that we may truly be the Body of Christ; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen. (1103, Treasury of Daily Prayer)