From Matthew 23:37-39 / Two Hearts

J.C. Notes here: [These] are the last words which He ever spoke, as a public teacher, in the hearing of the people. The characteristic tenderness and compassion of our Lord, shine forth in a striking manner at the close of His ministry. Though He left His enemies in unbelief, He shows that He loved and pitied them to the last.11 Ryle, J. C. 1860. Expository Thoughts on Matthew. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers.

Chapters 24-25 will contain Jesus’ concentrated discourse with His disciples “privately” (24:3) regarding the soon approaching destruction of Jerusalem, and His subsequent return.

Chapter 26 records the final plot to kill Jesus by the Jewish chief priests and elders; His anointing for His burial at the house of Simon the leper in Bethany; Judas’ betrayal compact with the Jewish leadership; the institution of the Lord’s Supper with His inauguration of the New Covenant; Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane; His arrest and trial, and Peter’s prophesied triple denial.

Chapter 27 finds Jesus tried before Pilate and His crucifixion.

Chapter 28 contains His resurrection, appearances and ascension.

All of these things transpire in a matter of but 5 days.

Note first: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…” This appears to be spoken mainly of the Leaders of Jerusalem, and their efforts to thwart people from following Christ. He would have gathered the people, but the Leadership turned the people away every way they could.

Lord help us to never place even the smallest stumbling block in front of anyone who wishes to follow you. But like John, may we be about the business of making the way smooth. To bring down the mountains, to fill in the valleys, and to make the path straight and not crooked.

O how the consciences of these men must burn even now in remembrance of it all. And that, with no promise of that fire ever being extinguished.

Note second: How the heart of fallen mankind is exposed. While Jesus’ words have an immediate application to those in the moment, the truth is, multiplied centuries of refusing God’s call to repentance, faith and obedience is the record.

How often God sent His prophets. How often He called them over and over to forsake their sins and their false God. How often ans Isaiah pleaded until he was hoarse and persecuted. How wrenchingly Jeremiah wept in the face of their repeated refusals. Ezekiel calls for decades. The remembrance of the 70 years in Babylon creid out. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk and lastly how Malachi reasoned.

But the bottom line? “You were not willing.”

Who was not willing? God? No. Them.

And so it is with any and all who perish in their sins. This is the real problem. Not that God has not spoken. Not that He has left the world – and especially Israel – without witness, but that men refused Him. That our hearts remained and still remain obstinate and unwilling.

“You were not willing” is the banner over the door to Hell.

Note third: Just how willing, how compassionate, how patient, how persistent our God has been to publish the good tidings of His acceptance and forgiveness and provision in the blood of The Lamb!

“How often” are Jesus’ words. How many prophets have been sent. How many preachers since the Cross have been sent out. How many have written, preached, taught and lived the Gospel all over the face of the globe.

How His mercy still calls to gather men and women in. How long He has withheld the final day. How in His providence He has placed men and women in every society, every age and under any and all circumstances to carry His Gospel. From every strata of society, in every trade, on every level of education. He has sent scientists, lawyers, doctors, police officers, soldiers, craftsmen, laborers, housewives, slaves, politicians, philosophers, writers, and even children to bear the message of the Cross.

How often He would have gathered in the masses, one by one like a hen wanting to protect and lead and provide for them like tender, defenceless chicks.

You, you who may be reading this today – His providence had conscripted the technology of the internet and other means to call to you yet again. Though you may have heard of the saving grace of Jesus Christ countless times before – or even if this is the very first time – He is calling you to Himself. To flee your sin and self-love and self-service. To call upon His name for forgiveness and mercy. To follow Him. To stop being unwilling, and come. To find cleansing and reconciliation to your God. To inherit the promise of everlasting life. To recognize your sin and your guilt before Him, and to place your trust in the Christ who died for you on Calvary’s cross. To run to Jesus as Lord, this one who died to bear the just wrath of God against human sin – that He might make you His own dear child.

Come.