I Would … and Ye Would Not

What will we do with the love God offers?

Jesus looked upon Jerusalem and spoke of how often He would have gathered her children as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings. Then came the words:

“And ye would not.” — Matthew 23:37

There is something in that sentence that makes me stop. He wanted to gather them. They would not come.

We understand something of rejected love in human relationships. We know what it means to open our hearts to someone who turns away. We cannot assume that an eternal, omnipotent God experiences everything exactly as we do. But here Jesus lets us hear His lament. His invitation was real, and so was their refusal.

The God whose love we have been describing knows the answer we are giving Him. He hears our words and sees the life beneath them: what interests us, what we pursue, what we conceal, and where we welcome His involvement. He knows the thoughts we would never say aloud.

If He is real, then He is real here, too—in this decision, this desire, this ordinary moment when I choose whether to give Him my attention.

That sobers me.

Balaam heard God speak. He received correction and delivered messages God gave him. Yet Scripture remembers his greed and his counsel that led others into sin. Centuries later, the risen Jesus brought Balaam’s name into a warning to His church. An encounter with God had not settled how Balaam would answer Him.

What am I doing with what God has made known to me?

I am not asking whether I have become flawless. I have failed Him, and I still need His mercy. There is room to come honestly, confess what is wrong, and ask for help. Jesus invites the weary to come, and He promises to receive those who come to Him.

But I must take care when I begin defending the very thing He is asking me to surrender. I can become practiced at explaining why His correction should wait. My words may express love while my choices keep Him at a distance.

He loves me too much for me to treat that lightly.

Whether I meet Him through death or live to be changed at His coming, I will stand before the One who already knows me. His story has reached me. His invitation has been offered. My life is answering.

If I refuse the love of the One who gives me life, where am I choosing to stand?

I do not want to arrive at the end with a lifetime of explanations for why I would not come.

He is here now. I can turn toward Him now.

“Lord, I believe You love me. Help me answer You honestly. Show me what I am holding back, and help me entrust it to You.”