By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

You Were Not Willing

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“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Matthew 23:37 New International Version

Jesus looks over Jerusalem and grieves.  Why?  Because He loved those people and wanted to gather them to Himself and save them, and they were not willing to come to Him.  He came to His own people and they would not receive Him and it broke His heart.

How often I have broken Jesus’ heart!  How often has He prayed for me and I resolutely went my own way!  How often have I refused to hear His voice calling to me and was not willing to heed His call!  Like Jerusalem, I have often rejected the Word of God that speaks to me plainly and I have refused to do His will.

This Lenten season is yet another time to hear the voice of Jesus calling you and me to Himself.  Jesus calls us to repentance and to confession, to admitting our sins and our need for His forgiveness.

And it is a time to hear His voice calling us with His Good News and comfort and compassion.  Calling us to draw into Him and be covered by the wings of His mercy.  Calling us to His cross and His sacrifice.  Calling us to His peace.

Jesus is calling you.  Calling you to repentance and calling you to forgiveness. Do not turn a deaf ear to His call.  Let Him draw you into Himself and His love.  Jesus said, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Come to Him and He will draw you in.  Come.  Amen.

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