37“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.38And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate.39For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!’ ”
Jesus has just severely scolded and chastised the leaders in Jerusalem. He makes it clear that he sees Jerusalem as a place where the prophets are murdered and he knows he will soon be executed also. And yet Jesus turns to them as a forgiving parent. He proclaims that he has been alive throughout history and longed for the people of Israel to come home to him and they refused. When he says “your house is abandoned” he is saying that God has left the temple and left them to their own desolate future. Similar to the father of the prodigal son allowing his son to leave when he knows he is headed for disaster.
These verses and the hundreds like it in the Bible have been a great comfort to me. Jesus will always take us back. Jesus lets us wander and sin, but nothing, even crucifying Jesus on the cross, is so bad that he doesn’t want us back. Don’t think that it is too late or you have wandered too far or been to evil. Jesus wants you to come back to him.
Lord, praise you and thank you for your patience and enduring love. Help me to rush home to you and rest under the wings of your love and power. Bring me home again and change me forever. Beginner’s Online Bible Study *obbs*
