Living in the Lord’s Security

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. "Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! "For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' Matthew 23:37-39

Jesus was addressing his disciples and the multitude presumably at the temple courtyard. He really wanted to provide security for the city of Jerusalem—for all the Jewish people, but they were not willing to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. He was totally accusing the Pharisees and scribes of being hypocrites in this chapter of Matthew 23. Did they not read their Hebrew Bible? Jesus goes on to remind them (v. 35) of the first and last murders—Able and Zechariah. There is a verse in Zechariah that promises security for Jerusalem…People will live in it, and there will no longer be a curse, for Jerusalem will dwell in security. Zechariah 14:11. Considering the tension in the Middle East today…this is quite a wonderful promise. Security.

Training Tip – Have you taken your children somewhere to see a mother hen and baby chicks? This is not the time of the year when there are many baby chicks—usually you’ll see them in the spring. So mark on your calendar for next year to plan a trip to a farm supply store, petting zoo, or farm where you can see a mother hen and her chicks.

For now, find a photo of a mother hen or another bird gathering her chicks under her wing. Share that with your family and discuss how even animals protect their families. Jesus wanted to protect Jerusalem, as described in the Matthew 23:37 verse and He wants to protect us in the same way. Here are a couple: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveandjowest/2739837012/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41804709@N04/4999126936/

 Use this drawing for your children to personalize security. Have them draw more baby chicks under the hen’s wings and write the names of family and friends on the chicks.

 

Lord Jesus, may we feel the security that You wanted to give Jerusalem—like that of the mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings. May You bless and guide those in Jerusalem—keep them safe from harm.

 

 

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.