Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 17
Thursday


BARRIER-FREE

READ:
Matthew 23:37-39
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O Jerusalem...! How
often I wanted to gather
your children together,
as a hen gathers her
chicks under her wings,
but you were not
willing! __Matt. 23:37
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Not long ago I heard the distressed chirping of a bird coming from the side of my neighbor's house. I discovered that a nest of baby birds was inside a vent covered by a screen, placing a barrier between the mother bird who was trying to feed her hungry chicks. After I told the neighbors, they removed the screen and took the nest and chicks to a safe place to be cared for.

Few things are as heartbreaking as a barrier to love. Christ, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel, experienced a barrier to His love when His chosen people rejected Him. He used the word picture of a hen and her baby chicks to describe their unwillingness to receive it: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...! How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Matt. 23:37).

Our sin is a barrier that separates us from God (Isa. 59:2). But "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Jesus took care of the barrier to God's love by His sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection (Rom. 5:8-17; 8:11). Now He longs for us to experience His love and accept this gift. __Dennis Fisher

`````````````My heart is stirred whene'er I think of Jesus,```````````````
````````````That blessed Name that sets the captive free;```````````````
`````````````The only Name through which I find salvation,``````````````
```````````No name on earth has meant so much to me. __Eliason`````````
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Through His cross, Jesus rescues and redeems.

*******************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 23:37-39*******************

37 [Jesus said,] 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!

18 See! Your house is left to
you desolate; 39 for I say to
you, you shall see Me no
more till you say, "Blessed
is He who comes in the
name of the Lord!:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The IVP Bible Background Commentary gives special insight
concerning verse 37 of today's reading: "Jewish tradition claimed
that Jewish people were under God's wings, and when a Jewish
person converted a Gentile, he or she brought that Gentile 'under
the wings of God's presence.' The Old Testament also portrays God
as an eagle hovering over its offspring (Deut 32:11; cf. Ex 19:4),
protecting Israel under his wings (Ps 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 63:7;
91:4) and terrifying Israel's foes in the same way (Jer 49:22). This is
one old Testament image of God's love for his people; here Jesus
fills this divine role." Jesus Christ is not only our Savior, He's also
our Protector.