Today's Reading: Luke 13: 31-35
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Please click this link to read Luke 13: 31-35
Bible Study
Those who are not willing to take energy and commitment to follow Jesus and be under his protection will have very sad future. N.T. Wright shows us how sad it could be:
Roman writers of the New Testament period speak graphically about fires in Rome's crowded streets and tenements; the summer of AD 64 saw a fire in Rome that lasted a week and destroyed half the city. Though the word 'fire' does not occur in this passage, the powerful image Jesus uses here has it in mind. It isn't, however, in a city, but in a farmyard.
Fire is as terrifying to trapped animals as to people, if not more so. When a farmyard catches fire, the animals try to escape; but, if they cannot, some species have developed ways of protecting their young. The picture here is of a hen, gathering her chicks under her wings to protect them. There are stories of exactly this: after a farmyard fire, those cleaning up have found a dead hen, scorched and blackened - with live chicks sheltering under her wings. She has quite literally given her life to save them. It is a vivid and violent image of what Jesus declared he longed to do for Jerusalem and, by implication, for all Israel. But, at the moment, all he could see was chicks scurrying off in the opposite direction, taking no notice of the smoke and flames indicating the approach of danger, nor of the urgent warnings of the one who alone could give them safety.
We can see, with devastating clarity, what Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is going to mean. Israel's greatest crisis is coming upon her, and he is offering an urgent summons to repent, to come his kingdom-way, his way of peace. This is the only way of avoiding the disaster which will otherwise follow her persistent rebellion. Jesus' intention now, in obedience to his vocation, is to go to Jerusalem and, like the hen with the chickens, to take upon himself the full force of that disaster which he was predicting for the nation and the Temple. The one will give himself on behalf of the many.
So, we are the little chickens that Jesus wants to protect under his wings. Are you willing to come under his protection or wandering around to find exits yourself is the question you have to ponder about today!
Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: Are you willing to be under his wings?
What I received from Jesus today is a simple question that every Christian would answer YES. But, in fact, most Christians are not willing to do so because the reality is most Christians have their own ways of finding the way out.
How often are we willing to be with Jesus each day and how often are we willing to listen and obey to him? I have seen "fire" swallow so many people I know and it is always so painful to see them being burnt alive! Do you know what I am talking about? I am talking about those Christians who think that they are listen and obey good disciples of Christ but in fact they are not, they listen but do not obey making lots of people including themselves suffer the consequence of being disobedience. I am talking about those Christians who think that they love their church but they are not, they pour down negative comments, spreading separation and thus burn their own church into ashes.
The fire may come in any time! It comes usually during the time you feel safe, satisfied, secure and feeling good! It comes when you do not watch and pray! It comes when you are angry with other people or even with God! It comes when you are confuse! It comes when you are doing things that you should not do! It comes when you do not do the things Jesus wants you to do! It comes when you are lack of direction! It comes when you cannot be with Jesus just one day!!! Wow! That's frightening, right?
So, let Jesus asks you again now: Are you willing to be under my wings?
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for protecting us with your life. Lead us to be under your wings when that fire comes. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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