December 19th - Reflection

Reading
Luke 13:31-35 (NRSV)
Jesus as mother hen laments over Jerusalem
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.' "

Reflection
Jesus desires to protect his children. It's comforting to know that I am his child. I am loved so much that Jesus wants to gather me in and protect me. I can understand his feelings. Likewise, I want to gather my children under my arms and protect them. I want to protect them from all things that may harm them. But at some point, I begin to realize that I can't do this. I don't have the power to protect them from all harm. It hurts to know this, because one of my deepest desires is to protect my children.

Knowing that Jesus wants to gather me in, I can find comfort that even in my failure to protect my children from all harm, there is One who came into this world to gather all children in. Jesus took on flesh! God took on flesh to come to protect His children. So even in my shortcomings, God took on flesh to gather all of us in, myself and my children included. Gather us in to protect us. So we can live with the knowledge that even through the bumps and bruises of life, we are protected by a God so loving that He came into this world to gather us in. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I give you thanks, praise and all glory for Your loving act of becoming flesh. I give you thanks for the gathering. I give you thanks for the protection. As I live to protect my children, may they see Your loving and eternal protection and boldly live their lives in Your grace and love. --- Amen