0651. The Intensity of His Service

The Intensity of His Service

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I hare gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not" (Mat_23:37).

First of all, the intensity of Christ is seen in the repetition of the word, "Jerusalem." Read the story of God’s call to Abraham in Gen_12:1-3. During the centuries, between that time and the time of our text, Christ had lovingly cared for the children of Israel. He had brought them out of a desert land, He had led them about, He had provided for them, and He had fed them with the finest of the wheat. Time after time Israel had rebelled against the Lord; in return God had rebuked them faithfully, and sought to restore them to favor.

During the centuries God had sent unto them His Prophets, but now, at last, He had sent His only Son. Christ had offered Himself unto them, but they would not have Him to reign over them. "He came to His own, but His own received Him not. All day long He had stretched forth His hand to "a disobedient and a gainsaying people." Now that their rejection of Him was final, now, that He beholds the awful desolation that is about to befall His people, He seems to extend His hands toward them and says: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how oft would I have gathered thy children together!"

In this second division, we have the same compassion shown in the first division, but we have more–we have the helping hand reached out to succor Israel.

The poor, lost sinner, and the struggling and sinning saint need more than our compassion. They need a hand to lift them up.

"And I will take them by the right hand, saying unto them, Fear not, for I will help thee."

"All day long have I stretched forth My hands to a disobedient and a gainsaying people."

Israel’s refusal of Christ’s compassionate care, broke His heart. He wept over the city–The Lamentations of Jeremiah give the anguish of the Lord’s soul, as He saw Israel refusing His love.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR