“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often I wanted to gather your children together; as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37 NIV)

           In this scripture Jesus expresses His deep desire and continuous efforts to protect, nurture, and save the people.  But the people of Jerusalem did not want to listen nor follow His example or teachings. They felt they knew more.  They were unwilling.

This holds true for most of us.  Think about it, as a parent you want to save your children from hardship.  You want to protect them from pain and disappointment, but sometimes you can’t because of their choices.  For the problem lies in human choice.  Despite what we have been taught.  Sometimes we just choose a life of frustration and folly.  

           There is an old Proverb “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.”  This Proverb coincides with the scripture.  The outcome relies entirely on our choices.  The water is there, but no one can make you drink.  

           In this scripture Jesus compares himself to a hen gathering her chicks, which is a striking, tender metaphor for divine protection, comfort, and maternal love. It reveals Jesus’s heartbreak over the choices the people were making in Jerusalem, demonstrating that God respects our free will even when it leads to disastrous consequences.  

           We all make choices, good ones, not so good, and unhealthy ones.  When our choice leads to unhealthy consequences we cry out to God, “Help me!” wanting God to fix the problem.  But that is not how it works.  There are consequences to our actions.

           God proposes, He does not force.  This verse ends with “and you were not willing” showing that God honors our choices, even when it harms us.  While our choices have immediate consequences; the overarching narrative of the Bible is one of grace, inviting us to return whenever we are ready.  God Bless.  Amen.

denise