DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WOE TO YOU

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WOE TO YOU

" ' O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stone those who are sent to her!  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)

As usual, Jesus is at odds with the scribes and Pharisees because of their hypocrisy.  He advised the multitudes and his disciples to do what they say, but do not do what they do (vs. 3).  

This discourse is filled with condemnation of the religious leaders.  Jesus called them hypocrites, fools, blind men, serpents and a brood of vipers.  This sounds very harsh, and the woes that Jesus pronounced certainly pointed to the judgment that awaited them if they did not change their ways.

 

However, this was not vindictive retribution.  I think Jesus was brokenhearted. At the end of this diatribe, we can almost hear a sob in the voice of Jesus as He lamented, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, I wanted to gather you like a hen gathers her chickens but you were not willing."

The Bible says that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).  The LORD God said, "'As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live'" (Ezekiel 33:11).  When Jesus pronounced these woes upon the scribes and Pharisees, I think He was weeping because of their hard hearts.

So what is my attitude toward sinners?  Do I lash out at them in righteous indignation?  Or do I mourn for their souls?  It should bring me no joy that they will not escape just recompense for their transgression and disobedience (Hebrews 2:2-3). O God, help me to have the heart of Jesus toward those who are lost while I still speak the truth about sin.    

Love, Dad