Matthew 23 Devotional

Longing to Gather Them In

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!”Matthew 23:37 (BSB)

Jesus' sharpest words fill Matthew 23. He warns the crowds and his disciples about the scribes and Pharisees, teachers who load heavy burdens on others without lifting a finger to help (23:4). Then come the woes. They tithe even their garden herbs while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness (23:23). They polish the outside of the cup while the inside is full of greed (23:25). It is easy to hear this as being about others. But religion on display over an untouched heart is a danger for anyone who takes God seriously.

The chapter does not end in anger. It ends in lament. Jesus cries out over Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets, telling her how often he longed to gather her children the way a hen shelters her chicks, and they would not have it (23:37). The one who exposes hypocrisy also longs to shelter those he warns. You can bring him the parts of your life that look clean outside and ask him to cleanse what is within.

To think about: What part of your life looks fine on the outside but needs Jesus' cleansing within, and will you bring it to him today?