New Hope Daily SOAP: Matthew 23

Pastor Vicki Harrison

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Matthew 23:37-39,  “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.  Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’

Throughout most of this chapter, we see Jesus strongly denounce the Pharisees.  Their system of rules and regulations was originally designed to help people seek godliness but their extremism only harmed people.  The rules had become an end in themselves and the teachers of the law were much more concerned with following the letter of the law than they were about the people themselves.  This gives the appearance of godliness but it is all a facade.  The heart is still far from God. 

Jesus’ final words in this chapter about Jerusalem are quite sad. Jesus loves Jerusalem and had longed for the people to love him back.  He wanted to gather the people under his protective wings and offer them true solace and hope.  Remember, this was the holy city where the temple of God resided.  And yet, over and over again, the people of Jerusalem had rejected God’s efforts to care for them.  It was no different with Jesus. 

Jesus’ words were also prophetic.  When he says…”Look, your house is left to you desolate,” we understand from history that it isn’t long before the Romans totally destroyed the city in AD 70.  But besides the physical desolation of the city, there is this tone in the text that suggests God had forsaken it as well.  And, of course, when Jesus states that they will not see him again, we know that he is indeed heading to the cross.  His earthly ministry has come to a close until God does a new thing. 

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, So often we behave like Jerusalem and reject your care and love.  Help us fully embrace your protection.  Help us love you as you desire us to do.  More and you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.