The Lord’s Security for Jerusalem

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 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.

 

Prayer ~  Holy Spirit...…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.                                                                                                                                                                

 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Cucumbers. They are in season now and the challenge is to find a way to eat them that you really enjoy. Here’s one that I’ve combined from one that a friend of my daughter’s shared with after she returned home from a trip to Italy and one frequently served by my husband’s Aunt Helene.

 

My Favorite Cucumber Salad

3 medium sized fresh cucumbers

1/2 cup sweet onions, thinly sliced and coarsely chopped

¾ cup cherry tomatoes, or bite-sized chopped fresh tomatoes

¼ cup Greek olives

½  cup Feta cheese

Olive oil – about ¼ cup

Sea Salt – freshly ground

 

Cut-off the blossom end the cucumber and rub the cucumber with it. This is a Chinese cooking school technique to remove any bitterness from the cucumber. Peal the cucumber leaving thin strips of green skin. Slice thinly. Combine with the sliced onion, tomatoes, and olives. Just before serving drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle liberally with the ground sea salt. Add the Feta Cheese. Serve and enjoy on a warm summer day.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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