Under his wing

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

UNDER HIS WING

Matt 23:37-39

37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" 

NIV

After having so much to as in the form of a woe to the teachers of the law and Pharisees. Jesus now concludes is discourse lamenting over them, and the whole of Israel. These were the people he came to, the people who God has been dealing with for thousands of years. They have experienced so many encounters with the living God, too many for us to recount in this small amount of words. Jesus came directly to them and by this lament we can clearly see his sadness they have refused to come to him. This concept of a hen and chicks show us his heart. The hen, when a bird of prey was overhead, would make a noise which the chicks knew to come to her and she would spread her wings out over them, puffing herself up, making her the only target, much too large for the bird to consider her as prey. Here Jesus is saying he is that hen who wishes to gather the Jews under his protection from the bird of prey, the Roman eagle. But as we know they did not come to him and they in fact perished being consumed by the Roman eagle some thirty to forty years later. When Jesus said their house is left to you desolate, he was speaking of the temple. This was the place God dwelled among them, but he was removing himself from them. However after the full among of the gentiles come to Christ there will be a renewal of faith in the house of Israel and many will turn to Jesus. Here we can also see that it is Jesus who spreads his protection over us from the evil that would devour us. In Christ we have safety, we will not perish as those who refuse to come under his protection. We are not capable of keeping ourselves safe from the evil one who seeks to destroy us. Without the protection of Jesus we are doomed to destruction, we will perish. But this also shows us that when the hen calls her chicks come to her. So it is with Christ. He calls all men to himself, but it is up to each one to come to him.

2 Peter 3:8-9

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish , but everyone to come to repentance.

NIV

We know the heart of God desires all men to come to him, that none should perish, be overtaken by he who seeks to prey upon them. A day is coming when all will end and those who are under the protection of Christ will be gathered into paradise. Those who did come will indeed perish, experience the second death and dreadful end, the exact opposite of eternal life. We are so glad we heard the call of him who not only became the only target, the true sacrifice for our sin, but who also keeps us safe from the devil who would devour us, as long as we stay under his wing. That is we should never ever endeavor to be out on our own, making our own choices, decisions or even plans. We must always stay under his protection, his guidance or leading.

Ps 91:4

4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

NIV

By rights we should include the entire psalm, but this makes the point Jesus was making.  We are under his wing,

1	Under His wings I am safely abiding;   Though the night deepens and tempests are wild, Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;   He has redeemed me, and I am His child.
	Under His wings, under His wings,   Who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide,     Safely abide forever.
2	Under His wings—what a refuge in sorrow!   How the heart yearningly turns to His rest! Often when earth has no balm for my healing,   There I find comfort, and there I am blest.
3	Under His wings—oh, what precious enjoyment!   There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er; Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;   Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore. William Orcutt Cushing