Under His Wings
September 2nd, 2010
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings..." (Matt. 23:37).
The feathery wings of a mother hen offer much comfort and protection to her young. If a hawk circles overhead or a dog charges, the mother will instantly sound the alarm and quickly gather her baby chicks beneath her wings. When the rain pours down, the hen shelters her young beneath her protective wings. At sunset, when the sky grows dark, the hen gathers her chicks into her nest where they are warmed and comforted beneath her wings.
In Matthew 23, Jesus spoke of His willingness to draw Israel near to Him as a hen gathering her young: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings..." (Matt. 23:37).
Although these words were addressed to the Jews (who rejected Christ as their King), His arms are equally open to all who will come to Him. John 11:51-52 assures us that Christ came not only to redeem the lost of Israel, but to be the Savior of all mankind. To what end? "That He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad."
Like a hen gathering her young, Christ is continually gathering together believing men, women and children into His one body, the church (Col. 1:24). We are His "chicks," assembled together at our Lord's side, sheltered and comforted beneath the shadow of His wings.
But there is also another gathering together of believers--a future gathering! The Bible speaks of a day of gathering when Christ will return from heaven to receive us to Himself. "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him..." (2Thes. 2:1). This future gathering is promised by our Lord in John 14:1-4 and described in 1Thessalonians 4:13-18. We will be "caught up" into the arms of Jesus.
These are comforting thoughts for the believer. Christ keeps His children beneath His wings. As the hen protectively gathers its young to her side, even right now He holds you in His loving embrace. "How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings" (Ps. 36:7).
In His strong love,
Demitri
