Come! - He that will

   How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Mat. 23:37

   It will never be so, taht you can step forward on the last day and say: «He would not save me!» - He who preaches and assures in His Word: «He who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.» (1 Tim. 2:4).
   You see, that nor you is shut out here, but quite contrary assures that exactly you too is the object for His will to rescue, which above all unfolds to us in what happens on Golgotha.
   It can, and ought to, make you exult today, you who have come to Jesus on this basis. - But this also reveals a very serious matter for every man - if they rejects this salvation, they are without excuse, because everything was done for them, and He tried again and again to reach them with His assurance.
   Yes, what shall you probably say, you who read just now? - He has not only tried to reach you with His assurance, but you have also heard it! - If not before, so at least now. But you have supposedly received it too?
   It is a specially fine picture Jesus speaks to you in, here in this text - He uses the picture about the hen and the chicks. The hen is particularly protective towards her chicks, and if any danger threatens, she gather them under her wings. If anyone shall hit them, they have to hit her first!
   That is where Jesus wants you! Therefore it get particularly bad if this also shall be said about us, as it was said about the Jews that time: «- and you were unwilling!»
   Imagine to reject such a salvation, and then be standing unprotected towards these forces, which are working on our destruction! He who is the enemy is considered as friend, and He who really is our friend is considered as our enemy!
   Listen to Jesus words to you today: «How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings!»

E.K.

Holy Bible New American Standard Version
Translator: E.K.