Matthew 23:34-38
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Today we come to the end of Jesus’ warnings to the religious authorities. Read Matthew 23:34-38 noticing Jesus’ agony even as he issues this final “woe.”
In a prophetic declaration, Jesus gives a sweeping picture of the rebellion of God’s people throughout time. From the beginning, the people chosen by God to display the characteristics of God to the world continuously stepped out from under God’s authority and attempted to rule their own lives in their own way. And far too many times anyone who spoke out for God against this rebellion was persecuted and even killed for their faithfulness to God.
Now God in the flesh stands before the leaders of God’s chosen people and issues a dire prophecy: the judgment for all of this rebellion will reach its climax in the execution of Jesus.
Take some time to contemplate your attempts to be the ruler of your own life. Then let the realization sink in that Jesus took the consequences of your rebellion upon himself so that you could be free of guilt. Sit with this for a while and then share your thoughts and feelings with Jesus.
Read Matthew 23:34-38 again.
Even as Jesus prophesies the consequences of the rebellion of God’s people, his heart is breaking. In utter anguish he cries out his longing for the people of Israel to turn and run to him. This is the heart of God on full display.
And even with this prophecy of desolation, Jesus offers a word of hope from the Psalms.
Take a moment to meditate on these words from Psalm 118:22-26:
“The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success.
Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.”
How might Jesus be calling you to come under his wings on this very day to receive his grace?
What will you do about that?
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