A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

JESUS WILL GATHER BELIEVERS      

Matthew 23:37-39 “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, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” 

Jesus wept because so many Jews rejected Him and the gift of eternal life He came to give them. In spite of the hatred of Jewish leaders and many temple worshippers, Jesus never stopped loving them. He literally reached out to them even with His dying breath. Remember His prayer from His Good Friday cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” 

Jesus had traveled the length and breadth of Israel teaching both God’s Law to show the people their sins and their terrible consequences. But He also taught the Gospel announcing to them that His Father had sent Him into the world to become the way for them to receive forgiveness of their sins and the gift of eternal life. (John 14:6) 

St. Paul thus wrote to the Corinthians, “. . . we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.” (2 Corinthians 6:1-3)  

Paul’s words to the Corinthians are also for you. Jesus told the parable of the Ten Virgins to emphasize how important it is to always be spiritually alert for you know not the time when He will return to gather the people of the earth and then judge them. (Matthew 25:1-13) Isaiah 55:6-7 urges you, “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.” 

Prayer: Holy Spirit prepare me to always be ready for Jesus to come take me to be with Him. In His holy name. Amen. 

Christ is surely coming Bringing His reward,  
Alpha and Omega, First and Last and Lord:  
Root and Stem of David, Brilliant Morning Star;  
Meet your Judge and Savior, Nations near and far! 

See the holy city! There they enter in,  
All by Christ made holy, Washed from ev’ry sin;  
Thirsty ones, desiring All He loves to give,  
Come for living water, Freely drink, and live! 

Grace be with God’s people! Praise His holy name!  
Father, Son, and Spirit, Evermore the same;  
Hear the certain promise From the eternal home;  
“Surely I come quickly! Come, Lord Jesus, come!”  (LSB 509) 

 Christ Is Surely Coming // LSB 509