#92 Luke 13:31-35 As a Hen Gathers Her Chicks Under Her Wings

Joy:
Episode #92 Luke 13:31-35

Welcome 

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you could make it. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.

Amy:
Christgazing, kind of like stargazing, is the act of looking steadily and intently at Jesus. This podcast makes room for just that. Amid a world of many words, we slow down here and make space for the God-breathed Words, the best words, the ones that rightly comfort, correct, and lead us. This is the kind of podcast I am in dire need of. Each week Joy reads a portion of scripture several times and creates stillness after each reading so we might also be still and know God more.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke, focusing on the red-lettered words of Christ.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before Joy reads today, take time to share your heart with God. We do this each week; we pour out our heart to God, so that He might fill us up with exactly what we need. So bring your nightmares, your daydreams, your grief, joy, anger, excitement, exhaustion, and thanksgiving to God in this next minute.

[Pause and pour out your heart to God]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
I’m going to read today’s text two times. As I read, consider the question, what does this tell us about God?

Luke 13:31-35 31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

34 “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. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Again?

Luke 13:31-35 31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

34 “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. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Take a minute to be still and know what this says about God.

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I reread the passage, consider a different question. What does this tell us about people?

Luke 13:31-35 31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

34 “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. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy: As I read for the last time, ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?

Luke 13:31-35 31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

34 “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. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Take the next minute to ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you turn your face toward Jesus today and know him more.

One Response

Amy:

Where, Herod is like a clever, hunting, killing fox, Jesus Christ is like a gathering, protecting, covering hen.

Let’s get some context.

In Episode 55, Luke 9:22, Jesus told his disciples he must suffer many things, be rejected by the chief priests and teachers of the law, and be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

In Episode 56, Luke 9:31, Jesus spoke on the mount of transfiguration about his departure from Earth, which he was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem.

In Episode 59, Luke 9:51, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem, the place where he would be crucified on a cross.

And he’s been resolutely on his way in every episode since. No threat from Herod or the Pharisees can intimidate him or change his course.

In today’s passage, we see his heart for his killers, “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.”

Jesus is not mourning your shortcomings. He is mourning your rejection because he so very much longs to comfort you and to open your eyes to the goodness of love.

Closing

You can find a transcript of this episode and all our episodes at amyburgin.com. Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christyou are one in whom he dwells and delightsa dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.

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