Jesus Longs to Draw Us Close

Here are some ideas about this coming Sunday's gospel lessons. This was sent out to the people of St. Timothy. 

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

³¹At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus,] “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³²He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ ³⁴Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Is it hard to imagine the Pharisees trying to help Jesus out? Here, they are letting Jesus know the latest as far as what Herod was up to. Herod was out for blood—Jesus’. That was a threat to be taken seriously. After all, this is the same man who ordered the death of John the Baptist. 

But Jesus is not phased by this. Nothing will prevent him from completing his mission—not friends, in this case the Pharisees, and not enemies, Herod. Jesus still had work to do, “casting out demons and performing cures” (v. 32). 

The shifting of gears and subjects in this story seems sudden—suddenly Jesus is crying for, lamenting the state and fate of Jerusalem. Jesus longed to reach out to its inhabitants, but they refused. 

The image of a mother hen and her chicks is a powerful one. In instances where there have been fires in barnyards, a mother hen may be found burned to death. When the hen is moved, unharmed chicks are found under her wings. She has given her life for them. Jesus has laid down his life for us all. 

Jesus has pretty much washed his hands of the people of Jerusalem. His next time there will be for his crucifixion. 

God longs to draw us close and protect us, but he will not force us. Let us find our security and assurance in God.  

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