From my reading in Luke 13:23-35 in the One Year New Testament.

Chicken In A Good Way

Jesus loved Jerusalem even though it was the place where he would be killed.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” Luke 13:34

Christ’s love was so great that he desired to care for the people of the city as if they were his own children.

He used the illustration of a mother hen caring for her chicks by protecting them under her wings to illustrate the tender care he wished to give them.

But Jerusalem refused to live under his protection, instead they rejected him and killed him.

“And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Luke 13:35

Because they rejected him, Jesus “abandoned” the great city to their own devises. Ironically after Christ’s resurrection Jerusalem would be the very place that Christianity first exploded with growth!

Jesus then made a prophesy by saying that they wouldn’t see him again until they said he was indeed the Messiah. This was fulfilled on Palm Sunday which we just celebrated. As Jesus rode into the city on a donkey they said,

“Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9

A Love Hate Relationship

As you can see Jesus had a love hate relationship with Jerusalem.

The people of Jerusalem loved him, then they hated him.

But Jesus never stopped loving them. 

I pray that I will have that same love for the places where God has called me to minister. I want to love the campuses of San Diego as well as the community God has put me in even if I am repeatedly rejected.

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