Pharaoh or John

Posted on July 31, 2021 by glenn

Life has a way of softening us.  Life has a way of hardening us.  It can do either.

The same sun that hardens the clay melts the wax.

The warning is given numerous times in Scripture.  Do not harden your hearts.  The text is found 3 times in Hebrews 3-4.

The heart of the matter is the heart.  It all begins in the heart.

Matt 13:15 – For the hearts of this people have grown dull. 

Matt 15:8 – They draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me

Matt 15:19 – out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts

Matt 18:35 …also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother

It is true.  The experiences of life will either harden our hearts or soften us.  It is up to us.

Let’s consider both choices.

James and John were called sons of thunder in their early years.  This was probably because of a fiery temperament. 

James was the 1st apostle to be killed.  His brother, John not only lived to see James martyred but he witnessed all of the apostles put to death.  Imagine seeing all of these brothers with whom he had shared so much, one by one, killed for their faith.  John, alone, was left.  Life surely had many difficult experiences for John.

John wrote 5 books of the New Testament.  He was likely in his 90’s when he wrote all of them.

Now later in life, he is no longer known as a son of thunder.  Now, we know him as the Apostle of love. 

What changed?  The experiences of life, along with the Spirit of Grace, had softened him.

Let us note a second truth.  As he writes the Gospel according to John, he seldom identifies himself.

This is the disciple who, along with his brother, early in the ministry of Jesus, wanted the prominence of sitting beside Jesus on His throne.  (Matt 20:20-22) 

Luke 9 shares the account of John complaining to Jesus because he saw someone casting out demons in the LORD’S name, but doing so without following “us.”  John would become the Apostle of love but he is not there yet.  It appears he was concerned about his own prominence.

But here, near the end of his life, we find this aged apostle, the only one left, under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and his perspective has changed.

Observe the following from the writings of this aged apostle.  John rarely identified himself in his writings.  Early in life, he may have wanted prominence.  Now he wants obscurity.  Early on he enjoyed the limelight.  Later, he wants the focus on the LORD.

The following verses will bear this out.

John was probably the other disciple in John 1:40. 

In John 13:23, the reference is made to the disciple whom Jesus loved. 

See John 20: 4, 8.  Most assuredly, the other disciple was John. 

See John 21: 20-24.  This text clears up any doubt that it is he who is identified.

So as we consider John, we see this son of thunder becoming the aged Apostle of love.  We see this follower of Jesus, who early on was interested in prominence and yet later in life was an example of humility.

John was a perfect example of one allowing the events of life to soften him.

Briefly, let us consider an example of letting our hearts become hardened.

Read Rom 9:17-18 and consider this question.  Did GOD harden Pharaoh’s heart or did Pharaoh choose to become hardened?  Circumstances were presented to Pharaoh.  He made the choice.  He could have submitted.  The city of Nineveh submitted and was spared in Jonah’s time.  Pharaoh could have submitted.

One’s heart determines how life’s experiences will shape him.  GOD knew Pharaoh’s heart and He knew he would not bend to Moses.  The point is he could have submitted to GOD and GOD would have used that powerful leader of Egypt to accomplish His purpose.  He did not.  GOD’S will was not thwarted.  It was to be done.  Pharaoh’s decision did not prevent GOD’S purpose from being done.  It only determined how it would happen.

As life comes at you full force at times, consider your own heart.  Will you allow the experiences to soften you or harden you?

Are you a Pharaoh or are you a John?

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Welcome Home

Posted on June 9, 2021 by glenn

Lift up you basement doors.

We have often said how much of a refuge we consider our home to be.  Through the years at times our days have been very stressful.  But as we turn into the drive at home, it is as though we can feel the stress begin to dissipate.  We are home!

We have a basement in our home with garage doors.  When I am home and I hear the basement door open, I know that my Teresa is home.  This is always a welcomed sound.  Home is our retreat.  No matter what occurs throughout the day, home is our place of refuge.  It is always good to be home and together at the end of the day.

When I hear the basement door begin to open, I am glad she is home. Imagine how much more this would be if she were returning from an extended trip.  Of course, I would be happy to welcome her home. 

This reminds me of a scene from the last 4 verses of Psalm 24.  Note verses 9 and 10.

            Lift up your heads, O you gates!  And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!

            And the King of glory shall come in.  Who is this King of glory?

            The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.

Welcome Home!

Most agree this is a Messianic prophecy describing the LORD being welcomed back into heaven when His time on earth was complete.  His mission being completed, He was welcomed home.  He came to earth to die in my place.  Because of this bloodshed, I can stand before GOD in judgement with clean hands.  On the cross, He breathed His last with these words, “It is finished.”  His stressful mission was complete.  He was ready to go home.  I can only imagine the welcome He received there.

The first chapter of Acts gives us the account of His ascension back to heaven after His resurrection.  This is what is being described here in Psalm 24:7-10.  Twice it is described as “Be lifted up you everlasting doors!” 

Five times in the passage, the LORD is referred to as the King of glory.  Indeed, He is the King of glory!  And the King was being welcomed back home.

I am so thankful for this scene.  Hebrews 8:1 tells me He is there seated at the right hand of the throne of GOD.  Oh, for that I am thankful.  Because I read verse 3 of Psalm 24, and realize I have no chance on my own accord to be there with Him.

But I read elsewhere in the Scriptures.

1 John 2:1 …if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ…

Romans 8:34 …It is Christ who ˡdied, and furthermore is also ²risen, who is even ³at the right hand of GOD, who also ⁴makes intercession for us.

1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one GOD and one Mediator between GOD and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 9:24 – of Christ we read that HE is now in…heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of GOD for us.

When I stand before GOD in the judgment, I don’t want Him to look at me or to look at the things I have done and the things I have left undone.  No, no, no. I want my Advocate, my Intercessor, my Mediator, my LORD, the King of glory, to represent me.

I am glad He was welcomed back home!  I want to be welcomed there one day as well.

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And IF he repents, forgive

Posted on May 18, 2021 by glenn

This question is sometimes asked.  If someone wrongs me and refuses to repent, am I required to forgive them? The passage below is referenced.

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.  Luke 17:3

So is forgiveness conditional?  The phrase, “if he repents, forgive him” seems to be the focal point.  For some, the implication seems to be to place a condition on the forgiveness.  That condition is the offender must repent.

Let me first state the faulty logic involved here.  In mathematics, it is referred to as denying the antecedent or the faulty logic of the inverse.  Give me a chance to explain.  It really is simple.  It goes something like this.

If P, then Q.  Therefore, if not P, then not Q.  Now again, let me stress, this is not sound reasoning.

If P, then Q, stated in other words is, P implies Q.  But it is a false assumption to conclude that means not P is not Q.  Again, “if P, then Q,” does not necessarily mean, “not P implies not Q.”

Replacing the letters with phrases helps to simplify it and would look like this.  If John is a bachelor (P) then he is a male (Q).  The faulty logic is clear with, if John is not a bachelor (not P) then he is not a male (not Q).  Again, faulty logic.  John could be married, hence not a bachelor, and yet he is still a male.

For our discussion, the reasoning would go like this.  “If he repents, then I will forgive.”  But that doesn’t equate to “If he doesn’t repent, then I won’t forgive.”  This is using faulty logic.

Now let’s turn our attention to the passage in Luke for a closer examination.

When discussing any topic of the Scriptures, there are basic interpretation principles to follow.  One should always consider the context.  It has been said, a text taken out of context is a pretext.

This is one of those passages wherein we might make an erroneous judgement by lifting it out of context.  The context in discussion is the sin of causing one to stumble (vv 1, 2).  In the context it appears that my brother has sinned against me and asked for forgiveness.  For me to withhold that forgiveness under those circumstances would be sinful and would make me guilty of verse 1.

The text in v3 simply says if your brother sins against you, i.e. stumbles, and repents you should forgive him. 

We make an error (apply faulty logic) by making his repentance a condition of my forgiveness.  If he repents, we forgive but that doesn’t make my forgiveness conditional on his penitence.

A second principle to use in interpretation is this.  One should never interpret a passage so that it is in conflict with the rest of the Scriptures.  In this case, it is not necessarily in conflict but it surely doesn’t fit well with the rest of Scripture’s discussion of forgiveness from the heart of a Christian.

To say one must repent in order to obtain the offended’s forgiveness flies in opposition to everything else Jesus had to say about the subject of forgiveness.  Matthew 18 notes our forgiveness should be limitless.  To withhold our forgiveness is not Christ like.

Jesus on the cross forgave those who did not repent (Luke 23:34).  Granted this comes from Deity and as we later learn it did require repentance.  (Acts 2:38)  However, Stephen followed the same example in Acts 7:60.   At issue is the heart of the offended.  Stephen’s heart was a forgiving spirit.

Of course, with GOD, forgiveness is conditional.  It requires penitence. (Acts 2:23, 38)  But the matter under discussion is not forgiveness from GOD.  It is forgiveness from man.  Am I to forgive an impenitent brother?

The answer is yes.  With man’s forgiveness, there are no conditions.  Now let me stress we are not discussing the need for congregational withdrawal and the withdrawal of fellowship.  We are talking about the heart of the individual Christian.

The crux of the issue is the heart of the forgiver.  Verse 3 even begins with “take heed to yourselves…”

We must ever guard our hearts from becoming hardened.  Hebrews 12 warns us against allowing an evil root of bitterness to take over our hearts.

I agree with one writer who says, “It is foreign to the intent of Jesus to ask, ‘But what if he does not repent?’  The follower of Jesus is not justified in holding a spirit of unforgiveness just because no apology is offered. That would put the responsibility for the Christian’s attitude upon the offender; and that Jesus would never do.”

The question is sometimes asked, “What would Jesus do?”  I think He showed us that on the cross.

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The Centurion

Posted on April 22, 2021 by glenn

Humility and compassion.  These are two attributes that seem to be sorely lacking in our society today.  There are exceptions but it seems to me pride and a lack of care and concern are traits among many. 

Let us consider the centurion soldier of the New Testament.  The Centurion was so named because he was in charge of 100 men.  Our word Century has a common derivation. We might consider the centurion soldier equivalent to our captain today.  As a leader among men, he was in a position where pride could have been an issue. 

There are five such men listed in Scripture. 

  • Matthew 8 and Luke 7 – Jesus heals a Centurion’s servant.
  • Matthew 27, Mark 15, and Luke 23 – The Centurion at the crucifixion
  • Acts 10 – Cornelius was a Centurion.
  • Acts 22 – A Centurion rescued Paul from the scourging and likely the one who guarded Paul in Acts 24:23.
  • Acts 27-28 – A Centurion accompanied Paul on the voyage to Rome and saved his life when the soldier’s plan was to kill all the prisoners.

All of the Centurions listed in Scripture seem to be men of honor.  And while Cornelius may be the most famous, I would like to note the Centurion we find in Matthew 8 and Luke 7.

In Matthew 8:5-13, we have the account of Jesus healing the Centurion’s servant.  Even though the Centurion was a leader of men, owner of servants, and likely enjoyed an elevated status socially among men, his humility is on full display with his attitude toward Jesus.  He said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.”

First note his compassion.  He sent for Jesus, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  He knew of Jesus and knew He could help.  His concern for a lowly slave was contrary to the reputation of a Roman army officer.

Secondly, note his humility.  The Centurion likely knew the Jewish law forbade a Jew from entering a Gentile’s house lest the Jew become unclean.  Maybe, he felt unworthy of having Jesus suffer such an inconvenience for his sake.

Last of all, note his faith. He knew that Jesus could heal without being physically present.  He said, “Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.”   Just say the word and my servant will be healed.  Jesus commended his faith.  He is one of 3 centurions listed in the New Testament with a genuine faith (Acts 10 and Matt 27:54).

After commending his faith, Jesus then noted a coming time when the Gentiles would be welcomed into the kingdom (verse 11).

Faith, humility and compassion.  What wonderful traits to be found in a leader of men.  Do our leaders today exhibit such?

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Sufferings and Glory

Posted on April 10, 2021 by glenn

Psalm 22 is sometimes called the Psalm of the Cross.  Written by David about 1,000 years before the crucifixion and centuries before this means of execution was even known to man, it is a wonderful study in the contrast between 2 ideas.  The 2 ideas are suffering and glory.

The first 21 verses, as a Messianic prophecy, address the sufferings the Messiah would endure on the cross.  The Psalm begins with that familiar cry from the cross as Jesus shouldered the sins of mankind.

The last section of the Psalm beginning with verse 22, extols the glory of the risen Savior.  The key word, praise, is found four times in the section.

When we deal with suffering in our lives, it is always a blessing to consider the glory promised to the child of GOD who will remain faithful.  Does not Revelation 2:10 promise such?

…be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.

The theme of suffering and glory is an interesting study. It is found several times throughout the New Testament, often while discussing the Savior.

Jesus said of Himself in Luke 24:26 – Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory? 

Suffering and Glory.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory…Heb 2:9

Three times in Peter’s 1st letter, he reminds us that we too are expected to experience sufferings in our walk with Christ.  We do so with the attitude that we may also be a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed.  The reader is encouraged to visit the following passages: 1 Peter 4:13; 5:1, 10.

When we suffer the reverses of life, let us not quit.  Let us remember the best is yet to come.

Paul may have said it best in Romans 8:18.

For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

It is all a matter of perspective.

Let us be faithful to the LORD no matter what comes our way.

It was Robert Browning who said, “Grow old with me, the best is yet to be…” 

Indeed.

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To Be or Not To Be

Posted on March 8, 2021 by glenn

The phrase is a familiar one.  It actually comes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  The lead character is considering life with its troubles and pain but acknowledges the alternative might be worse.  And so Prince Hamlet begins a lengthy speech with the quote, “To be or not to be, that is the question.”

Let us use the idea to spur our thoughts.  Who are you?  Most people identify themselves with what they do.  But think about it in a spiritual context.  Are you who you are or are you what you do?  Said another way, is your life defined by “To be” or “To do”?

Consider the idea of “be” vs “do”. It is an idea of growth. Consider the importance of our individually becoming what we need to be.   Inherent in the idea is our inward being.  The Bible encourages us to examine ourselves (2 Cor 13:5).

I recently read an article that made the following statement.  The leaders in the church are responsible for the apathy that exists in our midst. For years, our emphasis has been almost totally on trying to get people to come to church instead of trying to get people to be the church.  Maybe if something good has come from the pandemic of the last 12 months, it is we have had the opportunity to be the church.

Maybe in the past, we have been more concerned with the building rather than the being.  What is the church?  It is most certainly NOT the building.

We are guilty!  We say “Come to worship, give a little of your income, take a small part in the work of the church and you have fulfilled your part in being a Christian.”  I say, “Not!”           

Does this sound like Paul in Phil 1:21 when he says, “For me to live is Christ?”  The Christian life is all consuming – it is my being – it is my all!  Or else it is nothing.

That may sound pretty harsh but that is what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24.  He made it plain that man cannot serve both GOD and mammon.  We are in one camp or the other.  He demands our total devotion (Matthew 10:37).

Wasn’t that the reason Christ condemned the Pharisees in Matthew 23?  Over and over He called them hypocrites.  They were all about the minutia of their actions.  They were legalists.  And yet their hearts were not right.

Be is a small word containing only two letters but it carries so much meaning.  I challenge the reader to consult various dictionaries or online sources to find a myriad of definitions.  But for our purposes, consider the idea of a state of continual existence.

Peter’s last book is a short book of only 60 verses.  In those verses are several verses that contain the word be.  We might refer to them as the “be” attitudes.  Herein Peter encourages us to “be” faithful.  Let us study these be verses and note the context in which they are found.

2 Peter 1:10 – be diligent to make your call and election sure

2 Peter 3:2 – be mindful of the words spoken by the prophets

2 Peter 3:11 – be holy in your conduct

Verse 14 of Peter’s last chapter notes we are to “be diligent to be found without spot and blameless.” 

To be or not to be?  I want to be found without spot and blameless. I realize my only chance at this is to live for Christ.

Let us be the church.  If we get our “be” right – then our “do” will take care of itself.  Let us be.  And let us pray the prayer of the Psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O GOD, and renew within me a right spirit.”  (Psa 51:10)

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Adoption

Posted on February 14, 2021 by glenn

I never really gave much thought to couples when they adopted a child.  Oh sure, I thought it was a good thing but I just didn’t give it much thought.  I remember my high school English teacher and her husband adopted a child when I was in her class.  And through the years I have known countless adoption situations.  I thought I appreciated the idea.  Such was a huge misunderstanding.  I had no idea of the emotions involved in the process.

Why you might ask?  It was only recently that my understanding of this has been taken to a whole new level.  My younger son and his wife have recently adopted a new born baby boy.  So now he is my newest grandson.  I have other grandsons.  He is my youngest. 

At the birth of my first grandson, Proverbs 17:6 became one of my favorite verses.

                Children’s children are the crown of old men…

I wrote a piece about this several years ago.  The article is entitled “Grandchildren”.  I will not cover the same ground again, although the same thoughts apply today.

We call this new grandson, Will.  Will has joined our family and has instantly stolen our hearts.   There is no thought of his being adopted.  He is just one of us now.

Adoption.  Paul uses the term five times in his writings.  From the 8th chapter of Romans we read the following.

                For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

And because of such,

                We are children of GOD, and if children, then heirs – heirs of GOD, and joint heirs with Christ.

We cannot adequately grasp the blessings contained in this passage.  It is beyond our comprehension.

Sometimes we read about someone dying and leaving a fortune to the heirs left behind.  A price tag can always be placed on this kind of fortune.  But the adoption we have received and what we stand to inherit is as the commercial says, Priceless.

Eternity alone will reveal the depths of this inheritance. 

Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you…”  John 14:3

A place prepared just for me.  That’s my inheritance.

I am so thankful for these promises.  This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.  My home in heaven has been prepared for me. 

My being adopted into the family of GOD is indeed a blessing beyond comprehension.

I do have a greater appreciation for the idea of adoptions now.  Will has given me that. 

My prayer for him is to grow up to be a faithful servant in the kingdom of my GOD.  I want him to have a relationship with my LORD just as I do.

And I want him to be adopted again.  I want his next adoption to be into the family of GOD. I thank my GOD for the process of adoptions.

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Nautical Terms 2

Posted on February 10, 2021 by glenn

We are looking at a series of lessons from the Nautical Terms found in the Bible.  Today we will look at the book of James.

The New Testament contains many references to water.  Jesus walked on the water.  He showed His power over nature when He spoke and calmed the stormy sea.  One of His appearances after the Resurrection was by the Sea of Tiberius.  The four early disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, were all fishermen. 

It comes as no surprise then that there are many nautical terms in the Bible.  Note the references such as boat, skiff, anchor, ship, rudder, etc.  Thus it should also come as no surprise that there are endless lessons surrounding these nautical terms.

James and Jude were half-brothers of the LORD.  Just as we observed with his brother, Jude, it is noteworthy that James identifies himself as a bondservant of GOD.  Human nature would lead us to expect James to tout his earthly blood relationship to the Savior.  But no, it is apparent much has changed since the early days of the unbelief of the LORD’S brothers described in John 7.

Let’s consider three passages from the book of James.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  (James 1:14)

The Greek word translated enticed, is a fishing term meaning bait. 

In order to catch fish one must use the proper bait and presentation.  Satan uses alluring situations to tempt us to sin in much the same way the fisherman uses bait to tempt the fish.  The lesson we should take from the analogy is powerful.  We rarely see the hook in the bait until it is too late.  Be very aware of his devices.  Sinful temptations can appear very appealing.  We can become entangled and never see the hook.

A second nautical reference is found in James 1:17.  Here the text describes GOD as the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  In ancient navigation, sailors navigated by fixed stars.  There was no variation in their location.  There was no shadow of turning.  The lesson for us is simple.  We can navigate the storms of life by focusing on the Father of lights, the fixed One, with whom is no variation.  The Hebrews writer tells us Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)  That is a comforting thought on which we can depend.

Our third and final nautical reference comes from James 3:4 and calls to mind a ship’s rudder.  The rudder of a ship is what guides the ship.  What is it that guides my life?  I want the LORD to direct my steps.  How can I expect Him to do that?  Psalm 119:133, Direct my steps by Your word.

I must realize the importance of being in His word in order to receive that guidance.

The lessons to be found in the Scriptures are endless.  The nautical theme from the book of James provides three ideas for us to ponder.

                Satan presents temptation in an enticing way to lure us into sin.

                Our GOD is unchanging.  He is there for us.

                He guides us through the written word.

Let us praise Him for these wonderful blessings.

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Nautical Terms

Posted on February 4, 2021 by glenn

In the times of the New Testament writings, many passages included a reference to water.  Jesus walked on the water.  He showed His power over nature when He spoke and calmed the stormy sea.  One of His appearances after the Resurrection was by the Sea of Tiberias.  The four early disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, were all fishermen.  The list could go on.

It shouldn’t surprise us then that there are many nautical terms in the Bible.  A sampling of a few of the terms include boat, skiff, anchor, ship, rudder, etc.  Thus it should also come as no surprise that there are endless lessons surrounding these nautical terms.  Sometimes these lessons are lost in the translation process.   Let us visit one such passage found in the book of Jude.

Jude is the half-brother of the LORD.  His one-chapter book appears just before the book of Revelation.  It is noteworthy that he identifies himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ without making mention of his earthly blood relationship to the Savior.  It is apparent much has changed since the early days of life and his unbelief expressed in John 7:5.

In Jude verse 12 we read, “These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves.”

The reference is made to spots in your love feasts.   He was referring to the ungodly men who had crept into the midst of the faithful Christians (v4).  We should also mention the verb “are” is in the present tense.  The present tense means it is on-going and implies those ungodly men were there in their midst even as Jude wrote the letter.

Let us observe the nautical term.  The word translated spots, was a nautical term referring to hidden reefs lying just under the water’s surface.  Just think of the danger these hidden reefs presented to a boat.  Lying just under the surface, they would be undetected to the eye.  Perhaps you have been on a lake and encountered a log lying submerged just under the surface of the water.  Where the hidden reefs are concerned, many ships have met their demise in such a situation.

Being such a danger and being so easily hidden, one can make the connection with those ungodly men of verse 4.  They posed a great danger creeping into the assemblies unnoticed. The text says they turn the grace of our GOD into lewdness and deny the LORD Jesus.  Like the reefs, while unseen, they would cause much damage.

These influences are with us today.  We are to be ever vigilant of these dangerous influences that are very hard to detect.  At first they go unnoticed.  Satan doesn’t enter our lives or our congregations dressed in red with a pitch fork.  No, he slips in the side door, often unnoticed.  He and his workers are like the hidden reefs.  They are deadly and often unseen until it is too late.

May we be grounded in the word so that we are able to detect such evil influences. 

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Protective Wings

Posted on January 5, 2021 by glenn

The story has been told of the fire in Yellowstone that burned everything in its path.  The fire destroyed many creatures unable to escape the flames.  Afterward a firefighter, walking in the charred aftermath, spotted an eerie sight.  A bird still sitting upright with wings spread at the base of a tree stump had burned alive and all that remained were the ashes.  The observer kicked the ashes over and to his surprise several little birds ran out from under the protective wings of the mother.  

As much as I would like to say the inspirational story is true, it likely is not.  The story actually originated many years ago as a mother hen with her chicks in a barn fire.  But the protective and sacrificing love of a mother, illustrated by the story, is a rock solid truth.

Jesus used the same story line in Matthew 23:37 when He lamented over the beloved city of Jerusalem.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones 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!

The Greek word rendered hen in most translations is ornis and means simply bird.  Our English word ornithology, the study of birds, derives from ornis.

Although the story in the first paragraph is almost certainly fictitious, the Scriptures have many references to GOD caring for His people in the same way a mother bird cares for her young.

Ruth 2:12 – of GOD it is said, “under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

4 times in the book of the Psalms we find the phrase “under the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8, 36:7, 57:1, and 63:7).

These references speak of GOD’S protective wings, under whose shelter we may find protection during the storms of life.  The same motherly love and care is available to all.  Sadly, the majority rejects that care time and time again.  Just as those in first century Jerusalem did, many today reject His offer.

Those wings will not always be available.  GOD’S protective wings will not always be available. One’s life will eventually end here on earth or the LORD will return some sweet day and end our opportunities.  Jesus said in John 14:6, “No man comes to the Father except through Me.”  Oh friend, let us accept His offer while there is still time.

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