The Hen And Her Brood (Matthew 23:37)

 

Thursday, 13 November, 2025

Psalm 35:1-17

2 Kings 17:21-41

Matthew 23:29-39

The Hen And Her Brood (Matthew 23:37)

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

Hearing tough truth is not easy. How much do any of us enjoy hearing other people point out our faults?

This, I think, is the attitude we ought to have when reading today’s first lesson, of the tragic history of Israel. The pre-incarnate Christ would have gathered them together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, having sent to them prophet after prophet, even after the Assyrians had carried off most of them into exile. While we can read about the awful things they did in their pursuit of their false gods and think to ourselves how much more enlightened we are in this modern age, we none the less have the same human tendencies.

And so being aware of who we are and what we are is important. We who love good can find the idea of evil incomprehensible; yet are we ready to listen to the warnings if we begin flirting with evil?

Jesus is infinitely generous in his loving tendencies towards us. How often would he gather us together? Infinitely often! He speaks to us all the time: in our prayers, in our study of scripture, through the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit. He is gathering us together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings – are we willing to listen to his warnings if and when we wander off, and return back to him?

Christ, whose prophetic warnings drive us back to your loving embrace: give us humble hearts to listen to you, that we may be saved from the deception of evil and live in the truth of your righteousness.