For weeks now in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus has been laser-focused on the sobering reality of the coming Day of Judgment, when God will judge the living and the dead. With each merciful warning, He has also reminded us just how merciful and gracious and slow to anger the Lord is. In the final section of Luke 13, this comes to a stunning crescendo with Jesus lamenting over the hardness of his peoples’ hearts.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Luke 13:34)

To put this in terms of the last few weeks in Luke…

The Master is weeping over the wicked servants who are unprepared for his return home.

The Judge is weeping over the accused who are making no effort to settle with their more-than-willing-to-settle Accuser.

The Vinedresser is weeping over the unfruitful fig tree while the hose and shovel are still in his hands.

The Master stands weeping with open arms at the open Door over all who refuse to enter in and recline at His table in the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ tears magnify the depths of the riches of the mercy of God.

This Sunday Randall Gruendyke will be preaching Luke 13:31-35 and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you take some time this week to read and reflect on this section of Luke and to pray for each as they prepare? And let’s ask the Lord to overcome any and all remaining unwillingness we still may have to being gathered up by Jesus under the shelter of His wings.

See you Sunday, Grace. Let’s come hungry!

 

Song Link of the Week

Rock of Ages by The Worship Initiative