Matthew 23:37 – O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Jesus, your heart breaks for the hard-hearted, even for those who have rejected you and spurned your love and affection. You want these people and this city to have salvation so desperately that it breaks your heart when they won’t have it. You have made every effort to save them, to get the message to them, but they didn’t want to hear it. They didn’t want your message, your messengers or you. Lord Jesus, I pray, keep me from pushing back against your message. Keep me from pushing back against your messengers whom you lovingly continue to send to me. You have sent messengers for me that I would be gathered into your arms and saved. Your love and your salvation comes for me with passionate love and compassion. You do not want me to be damned; no, you want me to be gathered in and kept safe. Keep me from spurning your message, your messengers, or you. And then, Lord, give me a heart like yours. Give me a passionate and compassionate heart for those for whom I am a messenger. Just as you used prophets in the past to get your message to your people, so you send people like me to my family, to my neighbors, my friends. Break me heart with what breaks yours that I may be like you toward all whom I meet. Amen.