Sunday 13 March 2022
- Bible Book:
- Luke
'Jerusalem, 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!' (v. 34)
Background
At his baptism Jesus received confirmation of his identity and his mission from his Father. “This is my son, my beloved in whom I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-23) During his testing in the desert, he was able to withstand the temptation to use his power wrongly or to put God to the test. He knew he had a destiny to fulfil – a saving destiny that is the core of the gospel.
So, in this passage we see Jesus restating his vocation and refusing to be diverted from travelling to Jerusalem by the Pharisees. This is just one of many passages in the gospels where Jesus ‘sets his face towards Jerusalem’. Jesus’ destiny is to go to Jerusalem and die.
But Jerusalem has a sad history of rebellion against God and his prophets. Thus, the poetic words in the mouth of Jesus that appear at the top of this study. We have here the picture of the hen and her chickens, a most vivid description of what Jesus thinks his death is all about. This is the gospel – God’s love for his people knows no end and his son will give up his life to fulfil this destiny.
To Ponder:
- Jews and Muslims are clear about the significance of Jerusalem in their faith. How far do or should western Christians appreciate the significance of Jerusalem?
- What does the use of the female imagery of a hen and her chickens add to our understanding of Jesus and his saving vocation?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we give thanks for your love which reaches out to us like that of a caring parent. Give us, we pray, the grace to accept your love and seek to share it with others. Amen.