The Tender Invitation of a Loving Senior

By Romina Chevren

“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again.”—Matthew 23:33–39 (NIV)

In this passage, Jesus addresses the religious leaders with a blend of stern rebuke and tender compassion. His words reveal the gravity of their actions and the depth of His longing for their repentance and acceptance. As we reflect on this passage, we're confronted with the sobering truth of how easily our hearts can become hardened and the constant vigilance required to maintain tender hearts before God.

The scene opens with Jesus condemning the religious leaders as "snakes" and a "brood of vipers," highlighting their hypocrisy and wickedness. His words pierce through their facades of piety, exposing the darkness within their hearts. It's a stark reminder of the dangers of pride and self-righteousness, which can lead to the hardening of our hearts and distance us from God's grace.

Yet, amidst His rebuke, Jesus' heart overflows with compassion for the people of Jerusalem. He laments over their refusal to heed His call to repentance, expressing His deep longing to gather them close, likening Himself to a mother hen who gathers her chicks under her wings for protection and warmth. It's a tender image of His love and care, a poignant reminder of His desire for intimacy and reconciliation with His people.

Tragically, the people's hearts remain hardened, unwilling to embrace Jesus' invitation to salvation. He forewarns them of the consequences of their rejection, declaring that their house will be left desolate until they acknowledge Him as the one who comes in the name of the Lord. It's a somber reminder of the cost of rejecting God's tender invitation and the urgency of responding to His call with humility and repentance.

As we ponder these words, we're confronted with the reality of our own hearts, how easily we can become ensnared by pride, self-righteousness, and the pursuit of our desires, and how quickly we can turn away from God's loving embrace and harden our hearts to His voice. But there's hope amid this sobering reality. Jesus offers us a remedy for our hardened hearts—a call to constant vigilance and self-examination in the light of His truth. He urges us to heed the warnings of Scripture, to guard our hearts diligently, and to cultivate a spirit of humility and repentance.

May we heed His call and respond with tender hearts, open and receptive to His love and grace. May we allow His Spirit to soften and renew us, so that we may live in intimate communion with Him and bear witness to His transformative power in our lives. May we never lose sight of the precious gift of His tender invitation—a love that beckons us to come and find rest for our weary souls.

Let us, therefore, approach His throne with humility and gratitude, surrendering our hardened hearts and receiving His tender embrace. For in Him alone we find true peace, hope, and everlasting joy.

Pause: Take a moment to quiet your heart and mind. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Let go of any distractions or worries, and center your focus on the present moment. Allow yourself to become fully present in the presence of God.

Practice: Reflect on a specific aspect of your life where you desire growth or guidance. It could be a relationship, a decision you must make, a struggle you're facing, or a goal you want to pursue. Consider how you can apply God's principles and teachings to this area of your life. Is there a particular Scripture verse that speaks to your situation? Take time to meditate on it and discern how you can live it out in practical ways.

Pray: Heavenly Father, we acknowledge the depth of Your love for us, even amidst our shortcomings and failures. We recognize our need for Your forgiveness and grace and thank You for Your unwavering mercy towards us. Forgive us for our arrogance and failure to humbly submit to Your authority. Help us to surrender our desires for recognition and status, and to embrace the call to serve others with humility and love. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for all who dwell there. May Your presence be felt among them, bringing healing, reconciliation, and hope. Use us as instruments of Your peace and agents of Your love in a world that desperately needs You. We commit ourselves afresh to You, Lord, trusting in Your unfailing love and faithfulness. May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.