Unwilling?

“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. (Matthew 23:37 NIV)

Jesus spoke these words to a generation who had perverted their faith.  They made religious law from things that were never intended to be law.  The teachers and lawmakers kind of made it up as they went along and condemned those who couldn't or wouldn't conform.

I hear Jesus calling to us with the same words.  We have strayed so far from the truth.  It is hard to recognize the Jesus some have made.  There are those who have taken the Jesus who said "Lay down your swords!" "Turn the other cheek!"  "We will all worship on the same mountain."  "And forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do" and turned him into a war-loving, gun-loving, god who would let children starve because their parents are lazy or drug addicted and a god who hates anyone that is not like your typical religious right American.

These are hard words.  But it is a strong form of "Christianity" I see all around me here in the "Bible Belt" of the south.  And I have to wonder... when I pick up the Bible and read, am I missing something about Jesus?  I thought he is supposed to be the example we are to follow.  Didn't God come to earth in large part to show us how to love and serve one another and be at peace with one another and give to those in need even if it leaves us without?  It seems that some of the preachers are kind of making it up as they go along, and shout "heretic!" at anyone who doesn't buy into it, just like the teachers and lawmakers of Jesus' day.

I thank God that we are taught better at Holy Cross.  I don't think I could attend a church that taught otherwise.  But I pray for the Christian faith in our community, country and world... that we would strive to get it right and follow the Jesus of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  ...to read and learn about how God in Flesh lived and acted and taught so that we may be more like Him and teach the rest of the world to be more like Him and to be willing to be gathered under his wings.

Lord Jesus,
Many of us are still not willing to be gathered under your wings even though we say we are with our lips.  Open our eyes to our misunderstandings of who you are and what you tried to teach on earth.  Amen.

Joys:  Four more days until the wedding!; Richard getting to be home more than away for a couple of weeks; a quiet morning