A Hen and Her Chicks
Devotions:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”
Luke
KJV
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”
Matthew 23:37-38 KJV
We are the seed of Abraham. God's intention in calling out the Israelites to Himself was not to be exclusive but to provide an avenue for His salvation to come to all mankind. So when Jesus says that His heart was like a mother hen that would gather her children under her wings, that is His heart cry for all of humanity. But as Israel would not so many people will not turn to God.
This is a word picture that Jesus paints of a tender, compassionate God and Savior. When you see Jesus, you see the Father. Here defenseless, helpless chicks who do not even know who their enemy really is but they think that they can go it alone. Jesus said to them and is saying to us, "Come to Me as a baby chick runs to the mother hen when anything even looks like it might be wrong. When Jesus said this He was not just saying words, His works of compassion, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, forgiving those caught in sin, totally backed up what He said.
Know that there is a place of safety and protection awaiting you if you will just come to HIm and cling to Him.